In the lineup of the 2024 highest-paid athletes, guess who makes the most out of it?
Football players and basketball stars are going head-to-head! Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo secured the top three positions as top-paid athletes. Messi is outclassed by Ronaldo with an astounding $500 million, while Mbappé, 25, takes third position with an even more astounding $120 million! Not to be forgotten is golfer Dustin Johnson, who started at the sixth hole and won an impressive $107 million, and basketball star Lebron James.
Cristiano Ronaldo – Net Worth: $500 Million
In January, Ronaldo made a dramatic move to Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia after departing Manchester United in November. His yearly pay increased to a whopping $75 million as a result of this move, not to mention the additional marketing possibilities in his new residence. Even if there are reports that he will visit Europe again this summer, he is currently leading the athlete earnings list. His third time at the top overall and his first since 2017, he’s set a record high for soccer players with $136 million. Ronaldo has 850 million followers on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, and brands can’t get enough of him! The cryptocurrency exchange Binance is the newest sponsor on his list. Over the past 12 months, Binance has helped him increase his off-field earnings to an estimated $90 million.
Lionel Messi – Net Worth: $600 Million
Messi’s global appeal contributes to his sporting achievements in addition to his skill in the game. This demonstrates his dual talents as a corporate entrepreneur and soccer athlete. Messi is one of the most well-paid and well-respected players in the world because of his ability to inspire and amaze fans both on and off the field. So, guess what? Messi’s bank account continues to climb, much like it did a few years ago. He has several lucrative endorsement deals, including ones with PepsiCo, Budweiser, and Adidas. And get this: thanks to his collaboration with the fan platform Socios, he makes a healthy $20 million a year. Plus, he will undoubtedly get additional financial chances following his victory in the World Cup last December with Argentina.
Lebron James – Net Worth: $1 Billion
In 2023, basketball player LeBron James made an incredible $119.5 million. His outstanding basketball play accounts for the lion’s share of this $84.5 million total. His reputation beyond basketball is well-established, as seen by the $35 million he earns from many collaborations, which is almost equal to his skill on the floor. He’s got a piece of Fenway Sports Group, which runs the Boston Red Sox, Liverpool FC, and the Pittsburgh Penguins. Plus, he’s jumped into pickleball and dreams of owning an NBA team in Vegas one day!
Canelo Álvarez – Net Worth: $275 Million
Álvarez goes into the ring not simply to win, but to make millions of dollars as well. His cash account keeps growing after incredible victories over Dmitry Bivol and Gennadiy Golovkin in the last 12 months alone. Although Álvarez does not have as extensive a list of traditional endorsements as other elite athletes, he has partnered with Hennessy and Michelob Ultra. In addition, he recently joined forces with Excel Sports Management to broaden his brand alliances and pursue business endeavors.
Kylian Mbappé – Net Worth: $160 million
Look at the soccer star Kylian Mbappé, one of the great athletes who secured a remarkable position with an impressive $120 million in earnings for 2023! His $100 million soccer abilities demonstrate his extraordinary proficiency at such a young age. In addition, he has $20 million worth of sponsorship deals, demonstrating his star power off the field!
