Meet the Top 15 Richest Athletes on the Planet

The world of sports has always been synonymous with fame, glory, and exceptional skills. However, some athletes transcend the boundaries of their respective sports and achieve astronomical wealth, transforming themselves into global icons. This article will explore the lives and achievements of the world’s top 15 richest athletes, delving into the factors contributing to their financial success.

Top 15 Richest Athletes in the World

Cristiano Ronaldo

Here is our first star athlete- Christiano Ronaldo. Cristiano Ronaldo is a professional soccer player. He was a five-time FIFA Player of the Year. He is the only competitor to Lionel Messi. He was born in Madeira, Portugal, in 1985. He has played for the world’s most successful soccer teams, such as Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus. His annual salary is around $60 million. He earns a lot of money from his endorsements. He has a lifetime agreement with Nike.

Lionel Messi

The next athlete on the list does not need an introduction. He is Lionel Messi. He is the captain of the current soccer champion team Argentina. He was born in Rosario, Argentina, in 1987. Apart from playing for his national team Lionel Messi played for the Spanish club Barcelona. He is considered one of the greatest soccer players of all time. Last year, he earned around $130 million from his soccer salary and endorsement associations.

Lebron James

Lebron James is a great professional basketball player. He plays for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was born on December 30, 1984, in Akron, Ohio. In his career, Lebron leads more than two teams in winning the Lakers championship. He led the Cavaliers to their first NBA championship in 2016, making him the first player in NBA history to lead both teams in all major statistical categories in the NBA Finals.

Then he joined the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018 and helped lead the team to an NBA championship in 2020. His outstanding performance helped him earn a lot of money. His salary from his basketball career is around $44.5 million, whereas his off-field earning is $75 million. He also has several businesses and endorsement agreements.

Canelo Alvarez

Canelo Álvarez is a professional Mexican boxer. Canelo Álvarez was born on July 18, 1990, in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. He is one of the richest boxers. Alvarez’s income primarily comes from his boxing career and endorsements and sponsorships. He has had numerous high-profile fights, including a lucrative deal with DAZN. In addition, he has endorsement deals with companies like Hennessy. In the last year, Alvarez fought with big fighters like Dmitry Bivol and Kazakh boxer Gennadiy Golovkin. These fights earned him around $100 million. Alvarez also has multiple companies, including Canelo Energy, Carlo Promotions, etc. This allows him to earn additional income and potentially increase his wealth over time.

Phil Mickelson

Phil Mickelson is an American professional golfer. He was born in San Diego, California, on June 16, 1970. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest golfers of his generation. Mickelson has had a successful career, winning numerous tournaments and major championships. He is recognized as the highest-paid golfer in 2023. His total earning this year is around $106 million, mostly from his LIV golf tour. His additional earning came from the Master’s tournament in 2023, where he faced Brooks Koepka. Mickelson is the co-founder of a coffee supplement brand- For Wellness. He also earns from his brand.

Stephen Curry

Stephen Curry is another great professional basketball player from the United States. He was born on March 14, 1988, in Akron, Ohio. Curry is widely regarded as one of the greatest shooters in NBA history. Curry has achieved numerous accolades throughout his career, including being a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 2015 and 2016.

He has led the Warriors to three NBA Championships in 2015, 2017, and 2018 and has been named an NBA All-Star multiple times. He is also shining bright in 2023. His excellent record-breaking performances earned him around $48.4 million in 2023. However, his brand endorsements and investment earnings are around $52 million. He has a long-term agreement with the brand Under Armour. His total revenues in 2023 are around $100.4 million.

Dustin Johnson

Dustin Johnson is an American professional golfer. He was born on June 22, 1984, in Columbia, South Carolina. Johnson is known for his powerful drives and has been one of the top-ranked golfers in the world. He is an unexpected name on this list. Like Phil Mickelson, he is also a LIV golfer; most of his earnings come from the tournament. His total on-field earnings are $102 million. His additional earnings come from his brand endorsement and sponsorship of around $5 million sponsorship. So, he has earned a total of $107 million so far in 2023.

Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant is a professional basketball player who plays for the Phoenix Suns in the NBA. He was born on September 29, 1988, in Washington, DC, United States. He is a fantastic basketball player known for his scoring ability, versatility, and height. His on-field earnings are estimated at $45 million. However, he earned $89.1 million in 2023. His additional payments come from his investments in sports and the acquisition of sports teams and businesses such as the Major League Pickleball team, women’s sports league network Athletes Unlimited, digital creator business Goldenset Collective and others.

Roger Federer

Roger Federer is a professional tennis player often considered one of the best. He has won 20 Grand Slam titles throughout his career. He was born in Basel, Switzerland, in 1981. Federer has earned around $129 million from his tennis career. However, he also makes money from endorsements and his foundation. His total net worth is $550 million. He recently signed an agreement with a clothing brand worth $300 million. His last year’s full salary was 95.1 million.

Michael Jordan

Micheal Jordan is recognized as one of the greatest basketball players in basketball history. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, USA, in 1963. Right now, Michael Jordan is the richest athlete in the world if we consider their net worth. He has the most successful career among basketball players. As a Chicago Bull, he won six NBA championships. His salary was around $90 million in total. Though Micheal is now retired, his earning has continued. He is the majority owner of the Charlotte Hornets NBA team. His net worth is around $2.2 Billion. His team Charlotte Hornets has sponsorships from big brands like Nike and Gatorade. Jordan also starred in the movie Space Jam.

Tiger Woods

Tiger Woods is the 4th richest athlete on our list. Tiger Woods is a professional golfer and is the richest of all. He was born in Cypress, California, USA, in 1975. Throughout his career, he has won numerous championships. His achievement of winning the 2019 Master and the first major is the most recognizable. His current salary is around $50 million. He earns money from his endorsements and investments. His net worth is approximately $800 million.

Magic Johnson

The next person on our list is Magic Johnson. He is also known as Earvin Johnson Jr., a retired American professional star basketball player. He is recognized as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He was born on August 14, 1959, in Lansing, Michigan. He spent his entire NBA career with the Lakers and won five NBA championships and three NBA Finals MVP awards. Johnson was a 12-time NBA All-Star. After he retired from the NBA in 1991, Johnson became a successful businessman, philanthropist, and HIV/AIDS activist. His net worth is 620 million.

David Beckham

David Beckham is a retired professional soccer player. He is one of the finest football players f his time. He was born in London, England, in 1975. He also played for some of the world’s most successful soccer teams, including Manchester United, Real Madrid, and LA Galaxy. He earned around $800 million from his football career. He also makes money from endorsements and his investments. He has established a business named ‘Beckham Miami United.’ He earns a handsome amount of money from his business and endorsements. His net worth is 450 million.

Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. is a retired professional boxer. He won numerous world titles throughout his career. He is one of the best boxers of all time. He was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA, in 1977. He was the highest-paid boxer in 2015, with a $300 million salary. His net worth is 450 million.

Greg Norman

Greg Norman is a former professional golfer from Australia. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the sport’s history. He was born on February 10, 1955, in Mount Isa, Queensland, Australia. He won 91 professional tournaments worldwide, including two major championships: the Open Championship in 1986 and 1993. In addition to his success on the golf course, Norman is also known for his entrepreneurial ventures. His net worth is 400 million.

The following are the richest athletes in the world at the moment. But this order fluctuates every year according to the income and performance of the athletes. Their endorsement agreement also affects their net worth.