With $300 million.. Ronaldo tightens his grip on the list of highest-paid athletes in 2026 | sports

Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo maintained his top spot on Forbes magazine’s list of the highest-paid athletes in the world, while the top ten all broke the $100 million barrier.

For the fourth year in a row, and for the sixth time in his professional career, “The Don” topped the list with profits of nearly $300 million, ahead of his rival Lionel Messi, who came in third place.

Below is the ranking of the ten highest-paid athletes in the world..

1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Football): $300 million

He tops the list as the first professional player to have a total income exceeding $1 billion (since 2020). His financial influence is based on a lifetime contract with Nike and multiple sponsorship contracts, in addition to extensive investments that include hotels, clothing, accessories, and gyms, driven by the largest fan base in the world with nearly a billion followers on social media platforms.

2. Canelo Alvarez (Boxing): $170 million

His wealth in 2023 was estimated at no less than $275 million. The Mexican boxer succeeded in diversifying his investment portfolio outside the ring by establishing a chain of gas stations (Canelo Energy), stores (Uber), and a fitness application (iCan), in addition to two entertainment and boxing companies and an electronic clothing line.

3. Lionel Messi (Football): $140 million

The Argentine star, who won the Ballon d’Or 8 times, has been a professional at Inter Miami since 2023, with the option to buy a share in the club. He has owned his own clothing line and store in Barcelona since 2019, and has a long-term, historical partnership with Adidas.

4. American LeBron James (basketball): $137.4 million

The first active NBA player to reach billionaire status. His total off-field wealth exceeds $1 billion thanks to sponsorship contracts (such as Nike) and his entrepreneurial ventures.

5. Japanese Shohei Otani (baseball): $127.6 million

An exceptional global marketing situation; He receives $125 million of his income through sponsorship contracts alone. The Japanese star is associated with more than 20 major brands, distributed between Japanese companies (such as Seiko Watch and Kuse) and American companies (such as New Balance and Fanatex).

6. American Stephen Curry (basketball): $124.7 million

The first player in the American League whose salary exceeds $50 million (2023-2024 season). Sponsorships make up more than half of his profits ($65 million).

7. Spaniard Jon Rahm (golf): $107 million

The Spaniard rose strongly on the list, benefiting from his move to the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Tour, supported by a rich record that includes 11 wins on the PGA Tour (including two major tournaments), 8 victories on the European Tour, and 4 victories on LIV Golf.

8. Frenchman Karim Benzema (football): $104 million

The 2022 Ballon d’Or holder rose on the wage list after moving to the Saudi club Al-Ittihad in June 2023, ranking eighth globally, and coming third among football players on the list behind Ronaldo and Messi.

9. American Kevin Durant (basketball): $103.6 million

Houston Rockets player since July 2025; He earns $49 million off the field through sponsors such as Nike and FanDuel. Durant runs an investment firm (35V), the Boardroom brand, produced an Oscar-winning film in 2021, and owns shares in the Philadelphia Union Football Club and a pickleball club.

10. Lewis Hamilton (Formula 1): $100 million

7-time world champion in his second season with Ferrari; Earnings outside the ring make up 30% of his income. The 41-year-old Briton is an attractive business face and invested in the NFL’s Denver Broncos in 2022.