For the first time in Forbes’ data history, all ten of the highest-paid athletes in 2024 made over $100 million, topping the previous peak of eight athletes in 2023. The ten highest-paid athletes in the world together made an estimated $1.38 billion before taxes and agents’ fees in the past 12 months, which is a 24% increase over the previous record of $1.11 billion.

1. Ronaldo Cristiano $260 million

For the fourth time in his career, Ronaldo is the highest-paid athlete in the world with an estimated total salary of $260 million, which is a record for a football player. His enormous $200 million yearly compensation with Al Nassr, which has apparently been a wise investment for the Saudi Pro League team, is mostly accountable for that. The 39-year-old forward won Player of the Month awards in August, September, December, and March and leads the league with 33 goals. In addition to his partnerships with Nike, Herbalife, Clear Haircare, and more recently, Whoop, he continues to be of great value to sponsors, often promoting his partners to his 629 million Instagram followers, including the cryptocurrency exchange Binance and the workout app Erakulis.

2. JON RAHM $218 million

In addition to the rumoured $350 million guarantee he received to join the Saudi-sponsored tour, Rahm’s decision to join LIV Golf in December has been extremely profitable. As of May 13, the Spaniard has earned $6.6 million from seven tournaments in 2024, placing him sixth on the PGA Tour’s official money list this season, despite the fact that he has not yet won a LIV event. Rahm was also chosen to lead Legion XIII, the 13th team in League of Legends, which has historically entailed a 25% ownership stake in the league’s teams.

3. $135 million for Lionel Messi

Messi’s move to Miami has been a huge revelation for his new team—Inter Miami has increased ticket sales, organised a historic international preseason tour, and gained a number of rich sponsorships, such as the most valuable jersey deal in Major League Soccer history with Royal Caribbean. With a $1.03 billion valuation, Inter Miami is currently the second-most valuable team in Major League Soccer, according to Forbes. The team anticipates increasing its revenue from $118 million in 2023 to over $200 million this year. Messi, meanwhile, has been playing up to expectations. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner recently became the first player in Major League Soccer to record five assists in a single game, and he scored 10 goals in his first nine games this season. Messi expanded his list of off-field sponsors to include Lowe’s, in addition to Adidas, Apple, and Konami.

4. James Lebron $128.2 million

Following yet another heartbreaking playoff elimination, there is a lot of conjecture around James’ future with the Los Angeles Lakers. According to Spotrac, the four-time MVP has a $51.4 million player option with the franchise. However, he has stated that he would like to play with his oldest son, Bronny, who filed for the NBA Draft while still eligible to attend college. As Team USA attempts to capture gold in Paris this summer, James will make what is probably his last Olympic appearance. In January, James established a relationship with DraftKings and joined a number of other celebrities who are investing in PGA Tour Enterprises, the golf industry’s new business endeavour, as he considers life beyond the NBA.

5. ANTETOKOUNMPO, GIANNIS $111 million

After suffering a calf injury that ended his turbulent season, which included a midseason coaching change and watching helplessly as his team was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, Antetokounmpo is now recovering. His star is still rising off the court. In January, Antetokounmpo established a production company. In February, he partnered with Pepsi’s Starry soft drink. Later this year, he will release his sixth signature sneaker with Nike.

6. $110M KYLIAN MBAPPE

The $1.3 billion super-team experiment at Paris Saint-Germain will come to an end with Mbappé’s imminent departure. The 25-year-old French superstar is likely to join Spanish superpower Real Madrid for the upcoming season, fulfilling a childhood goal. Even though Mbappé helped PSG win six of seven Ligue 1 titles during his time there, the team was unable to win a Champions League while he was there. He continues to be highly busy outside of football, win or loss. In 2022, Mbappé established a production firm that collaborated with the NBA and has agreements with companies like Oakley, Hublot, and Nike.

7. NEYMAR JUNIOR $108 million

Neymar allegedly received a compensation package full of benefits, such as access to a private plane, a fleet of luxury cars, and a fully staffed house, to persuade him to join Saudi Arabian soccer team Al Hilal last year. However, his term did not start off well. The Brazilian player ended his club season with just five games between the Saudi Pro League and AFC Champions League after tearing his ACL during a World Cup qualification match in October. Despite this, Neymar has continued to sign sponsorship contracts. Since the injury, he has expanded his portfolio to include Skims, collaborated with Fun Brands to create his own brand of beverages and mocktails, and introduced a new football boot with Puma.

8. KARIM BENZEMA $106 million

The 2022 Ballon d’Or winner, Benzema, joined Al Ittihad of the Saudi Pro League after leaving Real Madrid as a free agent last year. In an official league interview, he gave a very personal explanation of his decision, saying, “As a Muslim, when you are in Mecca you feel at peace.” But because of health problems that have hampered his first season with Al Ittihad, ESPN reports that he has returned to Real Madrid’s clinic in Spain, where he is being monitored by his previous physician.

9. STEPH CURRY $102 million

Curry’s ability to shoot well has carried over into his later years; this season, he led the NBA with 357 three-pointers and was selected for Team USA’s Olympic squad. His new contract with Under Armour, which he signed last year, will carry him well beyond retirement and includes $75 million in shares that will vest in equal payments between 2029 and 2034. He has also been a force off the court. With the addition of South Carolina player MiLaysia Fulwiley in November and Sacramento Kings point guard De’Aaron Fox in October, the Curry Brand has now grown beyond its namesake star. Curry is also taking a step out into the spotlight by co-starring in a mockumentary that Peacock ordered straight to series.

10. LAMAR JACKSON $100.5 million

Lamar Jackson’s $72.5 million signing bonus from his new Baltimore Ravens contract, which he negotiated as his own agent, puts him in the top 10. In celebration of leading the Ravens to a 13-4 record and an AFC Central division win, the 27-year-old quarterback received his second NFL MVP award. Jackson collaborates off the pitch with StatusPro and Oakley, the companies behind the NFL Pro Era virtual reality video game. In addition, he owns a number of companies, including as a record label, a production company, a soul food restaurant, and the apparel line Era 8.