Cristiano Ronaldo is the highest-paid athlete in the world in 2026, with estimated earnings of $300 million, according to Forbes. Boxer Canelo Alvarez ($170 million) is second and Lionel Messi ($140 million) third. The Forbes list covers pre-tax earnings from 1 May 2025 to 1 May 2026, and every athlete in the top 10 crossed $100 million.
Forbes publishes this ranking every May. It adds up salaries, prize money, bonuses, endorsements, appearance fees and income from business interests. The figures are estimates, made before taxes and agents’ fees.
Highest-paid athletes 2026: the Forbes top 10
| Rank | Athlete | Sport | Country | Total earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Football | Portugal | $300 million |
| 2 | Canelo Alvarez | Boxing | Mexico | $170 million |
| 3 | Lionel Messi | Football | Argentina | $140 million |
| 4 | LeBron James | Basketball | USA | $137.8 million |
| 5 | Shohei Ohtani | Baseball | Japan | $127.6 million |
| 6 | Stephen Curry | Basketball | USA | $124.7 million |
| 7 | Jon Rahm | Golf | Spain | $107 million |
| 8 | Karim Benzema | Football | France | $104 million |
| 9 | Kevin Durant | Basketball | USA | $103.8 million |
| 10 | Lewis Hamilton | Formula 1 | UK | $100 million |
The top 10 together earned a little over $1.4 billion, based on the figures above. Across the full Forbes top 50, the total was about $4.1 billion.
The top 10, explained
1. Cristiano Ronaldo: $300 million
Ronaldo tops the Forbes list for the fourth year in a row and for the sixth time overall. His Al Nassr contract in Saudi Arabia pays him more than any club deal in football, and he has a large set of endorsements and his own CR7 brand. Reports noted that his total matches the $300 million record Floyd Mayweather Jr. set in 2015 for the most earned by an active athlete on a Forbes list.
2. Canelo Alvarez: $170 million
The Mexican boxer earns mostly from fight purses and pay-per-view shares, which makes his income lumpy. A single big fight can lift him close to the top, as it did this year.
3. Lionel Messi: $140 million
Messi’s earnings come from his Inter Miami deal in Major League Soccer, a share of revenue linked to Apple and Adidas, and long-term endorsements. He has been in the Forbes top 10 for over a decade.
4. LeBron James: $137.8 million
James has one of the largest off-court portfolios in sport, including his long Nike partnership and media and business investments. His Los Angeles Lakers salary is only part of the total.
5. Shohei Ohtani: $127.6 million
Ohtani is unusual on this list. Under his record Los Angeles Dodgers contract, most of his salary is deferred, so nearly all of his yearly income comes from endorsements with Japanese and global brands.
6. Stephen Curry: $124.7 million
The Golden State Warriors guard combines one of the NBA’s highest salaries with long-running deals, including his own brand under Under Armour.
7. Jon Rahm: $107 million
Rahm is the only golfer in the top 10. His income is driven by his deal with LIV Golf, the Saudi-backed league he joined in 2023, plus prize money.
8. Karim Benzema: $104 million
Benzema is one of three footballers in the top 10. Like Ronaldo, he plays in the Saudi Pro League, where club salaries are far higher than in most European leagues.
9. Kevin Durant: $103.8 million
Durant, who moved to the Houston Rockets in 2025, earns a top NBA salary and has a growing business arm, Boardroom, which covers media and investments.
10. Lewis Hamilton: $100 million
The seven-time Formula 1 world champion joined Ferrari in 2025. He is the only motorsport driver in the top 10 and completes a list where every name earned at least $100 million.
Sports with the most athletes in the top 10
- Basketball: 3 (James, Curry, Durant)
- Football: 3 (Ronaldo, Messi, Benzema)
- Boxing, baseball, golf and Formula 1: 1 each
American leagues and the Saudi Pro League dominate because they pay the largest guaranteed salaries. Golf and boxing names appear when a big one-off deal or fight lands in the 12-month window.
Why no cricketer is in the top 10
No cricketer made the 2026 Forbes top 10. Indian stars earn very well from IPL contracts, BCCI retainers and brand endorsements, but their totals are still smaller than the guaranteed contracts in the NBA or the Saudi Pro League.
Cricket’s fan base is huge, but its biggest money is concentrated in a few months of the year and in one region. That is the main reason no cricketer has entered the Forbes top 10 in recent years. Read more sports and money stories in our Finance and People sections.
How Forbes calculates athlete earnings
- On-field earnings: salaries, prize money and bonuses earned in the 12 months.
- Off-field earnings: endorsements, appearance fees, licensing and business income, estimated from interviews with industry sources.
- What is not counted: investment returns and income outside the 12-month window.
All figures are before taxes and agents’ fees, and Forbes notes they are estimates. Because the window runs May to May, a big contract or fight signed in June only shows up in next year’s list. For more global rankings, browse our Buzz section.
Further reading: Robb Report Malaysia, World’s highest-paid athletes 2026 (Forbes), Nairametrics, The highest-earning athletes in the world 2025 (20 May 2025), Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Virat Kohli ranks 66th on Forbes list (2020).
Frequently asked questions
Who is the highest-paid athlete in the world in 2026?
Cristiano Ronaldo, with estimated earnings of $300 million between May 2025 and May 2026, according to Forbes.
How much does Lionel Messi earn in 2026?
Forbes estimates Messi earned $140 million in the 12 months to May 2026, which places him third in the world.
Is any Indian athlete in the top 10 highest-paid athletes?
No. There is no Indian athlete or cricketer in the 2026 Forbes top 10. All ten earned at least $100 million.
When does Forbes release the highest-paid athletes list?
Forbes usually releases it in May. The 2026 list was published on 22 May 2026.
Sources: Forbes: highest-paid athletes list, The Sunday Guardian.
