Cristiano Ronaldo Tops Forbes Highest-Paid Athletes List for Fourth Consecutive Year
Forbes released its 2026 list of the world's highest-paid athletes, with Cristiano Ronaldo leading at $300 million for the fourth consecutive year. The Portuguese soccer star earned $235 million from Al-Nassr in the Saudi league and $65 million from endorsements with Binance, Nike, and Perplexity, plus a $7.5 million investment in a Herbalife tech subsidiary. Boxer Canelo Alvarez ranked second with $170 million, including $160 million from fights in Saudi Arabia and Las Vegas. Lionel Messi placed third at $140 million, splitting earnings between Inter Miami FC and endorsements. LeBron James ($137.8 million) and Shohei Ohtani ($127.6 million) rounded out the top five. The list also included Stephen Curry, Jon Rahm, Karim Benzema, Kevin Durant, and Lewis Hamilton.
Key facts
- Cristiano Ronaldo earned $300 million over the past 12 months.
- Ronaldo has topped Forbes' list for the fourth consecutive year and sixth time in 11 years.
- $235 million of Ronaldo's earnings came from Al-Nassr in the Saudi league.
- Ronaldo earned $65 million off the pitch from brands including Binance, Nike, and Perplexity.
- Ronaldo invested $7.5 million in a Herbalife tech subsidiary.
- Canelo Alvarez earned $170 million, ranking second.
- Lionel Messi earned $140 million, ranking third.
- LeBron James earned $137.8 million, ranking fourth.
Entities
Artists
- Cristiano Ronaldo
- Canelo Alvarez
- Lionel Messi
- LeBron James
- Shohei Ohtani
- Stephen Curry
- Jon Rahm
- Karim Benzema
- Kevin Durant
- Lewis Hamilton
Institutions
- Forbes
- Al-Nassr
- Binance
- Nike
- Perplexity
- Herbalife
- Inter Miami FC
- Los Angeles Dodgers
- Golden State Warriors
- Houston Rockets
- Robb Report
Locations
- Portugal
- Saudi Arabia
- Mexico
- Argentina
- United States
- Japan
- Spain
- France
- United Kingdom
- Riyadh
- Las Vegas
- Miami