“My success comes from hard work, dedication, and never settling for less. Football gave me everything, and I continue to give my best to the sport.” — Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo has once again topped the list of the highest-paid athletes in the world for 2025. The Portuguese football icon continues to dominate both on and off the field, earning a staggering $285 million this year. His record-breaking income includes a $200 million salary from Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr, along with $65 million from endorsements and personal business ventures. Ronaldo’s financial success reflects the increasing commercialization of football and the growing influence of Middle Eastern investments in global sports.
💰 Ronaldo’s 2025 Earnings Breakdown
Cristiano Ronaldo’s income for 2025 reached a record $285 million, solidifying his status as the world’s highest-paid athlete. His earnings are strategically divided between his club salary and various business ventures.
The majority of his income — $200 million (70%) — comes from his contract with Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League. The remaining $65 million (23%) comes from endorsements and business ventures, including his lifetime deal with Nike, partnerships with Clear shampoo, and his CR7-branded businesses spanning hotels, fragrances, and fitness centers.
Think of Ronaldo’s earnings like a pie chart: about 70% comes from playing football in Saudi Arabia, and 30% from being a global brand ambassador and businessman. His move to Saudi Arabia essentially doubled his football salary compared to what he earned at Manchester United or Real Madrid.
| Income Source | Amount | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Al Nassr Salary (Saudi Pro League) | $200 Million | 70% |
| Endorsements & Business Ventures | $65 Million | 23% |
| Other Income (Investments, etc.) | $20 Million | 7% |
| Total | $285 Million | 100% |
🏆 Top 10 Highest-Paid Athletes in 2025
The 2025 list showcases the dominance of football with five players in the top 10, followed by basketball with three players. Golf and American football have one representative each. The total earnings of the top 100 athletes reached $6.2 billion, marking a 14% increase from 2023.
| Rank | Athlete | Sport | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Football | $285M |
| 2 | Jon Rahm | Golf | $218M |
| 3 | Lionel Messi | Football | $135M |
| 4 | LeBron James | Basketball | $128.7M |
| 5 | Neymar | Football | $110M |
| 6 | Stephen Curry | Basketball | $105.8M |
| 7 | Karim Benzema | Football | $104M |
| 8 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | Basketball | $93.8M |
| 9 | Kylian Mbappé | Football | $90M |
| 10 | Jared Goff | American Football | $85.6M |
Sport-wise breakdown: Football – 5 players (Ronaldo, Messi, Neymar, Benzema, Mbappé), Basketball – 3 players (LeBron, Curry, Giannis), Golf – 1 (Rahm), American Football – 1 (Goff).
⚽ Football’s Financial Dominance
Football remains the most lucrative sport globally, with five players in the top 10. The Saudi Pro League’s massive salaries and high-value sponsorship deals continue to elevate players’ earnings to unprecedented levels.
- Cristiano Ronaldo & Karim Benzema: Beneficiaries of Saudi Arabia’s football investments
- Lionel Messi: Revenue-sharing deals with Apple, Adidas, and Inter Miami
- Kylian Mbappé: PSG contract and sponsorships with Nike and EA Sports
- Neymar: Saudi contract and partnerships with Puma and Red Bull
With broadcast rights, endorsements, and club investments growing, footballers will likely continue topping the earnings list in the coming years.
Don’t confuse: Ronaldo earns MORE than Messi ($285M vs $135M) — over DOUBLE. However, Messi received the Presidential Medal of Freedom (different current affair). Ronaldo plays for Al Nassr (Saudi Arabia), Messi plays for Inter Miami (USA).
🏌️ Rise of Golf, NBA & NFL
While football dominates, other sports have shown remarkable financial growth in 2025:
| Sport | Top Earner | Earnings | Key Factor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golf | Jon Rahm (#2) | $218M | $300M LIV Golf deal (Saudi-backed) |
| Basketball | LeBron James (#4) | $128.7M | Nike lifetime deal, Hollywood investments |
| American Football | Jared Goff (#10) | $85.6M | Record Detroit Lions contract |
Jon Rahm’s rise to #2 represents a seismic shift in golf economics. His switch from PGA Tour to Saudi-backed LIV Golf earned him a $300 million deal — showing how Middle Eastern investment is disrupting traditional sports hierarchies across multiple disciplines.
👩 Gender Pay Gap in Sports
A significant concern in 2025 is the absence of female athletes in the top 100 highest-paid list. The threshold to enter the top 100 was $37.5 million.
- Coco Gauff — highest-paid female athlete at $30.4 million — did not qualify for the top 100
- Gender pay disparities remain significant despite rising popularity in women’s leagues
- Previous entrants like Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams have dropped out of the list
- The gap highlights the financial disparity in endorsement and salary opportunities for female athletes
The gender pay gap in sports raises important questions: Is the disparity due to market demand, viewership numbers, or systemic inequalities? How can women’s sports achieve financial parity? What role should sponsors, leagues, and media play in addressing this gap?
🌍 Middle Eastern Investments Reshaping Sports
Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern nations are fundamentally reshaping the economics of global sports:
- Football: Saudi Pro League attracting top players with record salaries (Ronaldo, Benzema, Neymar)
- Golf: LIV Golf offering multi-million-dollar contracts (Jon Rahm’s $300M deal)
- Other Sports: Formula 1, boxing, eSports seeing new Middle Eastern investments
The financial power shift in sports is increasingly moving toward the Middle East, driven by sovereign wealth funds and national diversification strategies. Critics call it “sportswashing,” while supporters point to the growth opportunities it creates for athletes and leagues.
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Cristiano Ronaldo earned $285 million in 2025, making him the world’s highest-paid athlete.
Jon Rahm (Golf) is the second highest-paid athlete with $218 million, thanks to his LIV Golf contract.
There are 5 footballers in the top 10: Ronaldo (#1), Messi (#3), Neymar (#5), Benzema (#7), and Mbappé (#9).
Ronaldo earns $200 million from his Al Nassr salary, which is approximately 70% of his total earnings.
Coco Gauff is the highest-paid female athlete at $30.4 million, but she did not make the top 100 (threshold: $37.5M).
