7 highest paid athletes in the world in 2024, football dominates

The world of sports has witnessed greatness on and off the field. On the field, athletes are always judged with their performances.

Off it, their success is measured in different ways from transforming lives to owning luxurious assets as well as pocketing huge salaries but which are the richest athletes on the planet?

Pulse Sports analyses the top seven richest athletes in 2024, delving into their net worth according to Forbes.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo ($260 M)

Starting off the list is Al-Nassr’s Christiano Ronaldo. Forbes mentioned that the 39-year-old  Portuguese forward raked in a whooping $260 million, with an on field fee with Al-Nassr toppling it off at $200 million. The five-time Balloon d’Or winner has named himself the highest paid athlete in the world and it is clear why.

2. Jon Rahm ($218 M)

The Spanish professional golfer is second in the list with an estimated total income at $218 million. Rahm has achieved 21 wins throughout his decorated career.

According to LIV Golf, the 29-year-old has won the 2023 Masters, the 2021 US Open, and the DP World Tournament Championship (2017, 2019, and 2022). While he has yet to win the recent LIV Gold event, Rahm has earned an impressive $6.6 million from seven tournaments during 2024.

3. Lionel Messi ($135 M)

The multiple Balloon d’Or winning Inter Miami star Leonel Messi is not only in the limelight with his goals and unmatched displays but also being paid handsomely wherever he has played. 

While Ronaldo is undoubted the richest sportsman-in this case, Messi has earned a considerable amount in a career that has seen him donn the Barcelona and Paris Saint Germain jerseys. Standing at a total of  $135 million, Messi make $65 million in on-field revenue.

Off the field, the football star partners with some prominent sponsorships including Adidas, Konami and Apple. 

4. LeBron James ($128.2 M)

American basketball power forward, LeBron James, often referred to as «King James» remains one of the most marketable athletes in the world. His top earnings are as a result of the NBA salary and a plethora of endorsements.

While he secured  $48.2 million on the field, James partnered with Draftkings and joined PGA Tour Enterprises, a group of celebrities  investing in golf-related commercial ventures, as his post-NBA career path.

5. Giannis Antetokounmpo ($111 M)

Basketball player Giannis Antetokounmpo is a great addition to this list. The Milwueke Bucks star has been playing on the court for 11 years, according to NBA’s official website.

Antetokounmpo pulled in an impressive $111 million both on and off the court. He recently partnered with Pepsi’s Starry in February  and launched his company in the previous month. 

6. Kylian Mbappé ($110 M)

Despite his relatively young age, French footballer Mbappe has earned an astonishing  $110 million, on and off-field revenues combined. Apart from this list, Transfer market named the Real Madrid center-forward  as one of the most valuable footballers in 2024, with a market value of €180 million (approximately $198 million).

The young talent formed a production company in 2022, and has added partnerships with the NBA, Nike, and others.

7. Neymar ($108 M) 

The Brazilian has secured a substantial earning equivalent to $108 million. In addition to his club income, Neymar has endorsement deals with notable brands, Skims, Puma, and Fun Brands are the very recent.