Top 10 Highest-Paid Athletes in 2026

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The world’s biggest sports stars continue to turn record salaries, prize money and endorsement deals into extraordinary annual earnings, with Cristiano Ronaldo once again leading the field.

Forbes estimates that the 50 highest-paid athletes earned a combined $4.1 billion over the past 12 months, down slightly from a record $4.2 billion in 2025. The total includes $3 billion from salaries, bonuses and prize money and another $1.1 billion from endorsements, appearances, memorabilia and other business ventures.

The following ranking uses Forbes' latest estimates as the primary benchmark, with figures and context from Planet Football where relevant.

List of the 10 Highest-Paid Athletes in 2026

Here are the 10 highest-paid athletes in 2026, based on data from Forbes and Planet Football.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo — $300 Million

Cristiano Ronaldo remains the world's highest-paid athlete for the fourth consecutive year, according to Forbes, with estimated earnings of $300 million.

The figure matches the highest annual earnings ever recorded by Forbes for an athlete. Ronaldo's enormous income is driven primarily by his earnings on the field, with his Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr accounting for an estimated $235 million. He also generated another $65 million from endorsements and other commercial activities.

Sportico's estimate, cited by Planet Football, is lower at $260 million, including a reported $200 million salary and endorsement income. Regardless of the methodology, Ronaldo remains well ahead of every other athlete on either list.

2. Canelo Alvarez — $170 Million

Mexican boxing superstar Canelo Alvarez ranks second with estimated earnings of $170 million, according to Forbes.

Unlike athletes whose earnings are built largely around long-term contracts, boxers can see their annual income fluctuate significantly depending on their fight schedule and the commercial value of each bout. Forbes estimates that Alvarez earned $160 million from competition and another $10 million off the field.

Sportico's figure, reported by Planet Football, puts his annual earnings at $137 million.

3. Lionel Messi — $140 Million

Lionel Messi remains one of the most commercially powerful athletes in the world, ranking third with $140 million in estimated earnings.

Forbes estimates that the Argentina star earned $70 million from his football activities and another $70 million from endorsements and business ventures.

His commercial appeal remains a crucial part of his income. Sportico, as cited by Planet Football, similarly estimates Messi's endorsement earnings at around $70 million, although it puts his total annual income at $130 million.

Messi's move to Inter Miami in 2023 transformed the commercial landscape around Major League Soccer, adding another major global sports brand to the league.

4. LeBron James — $137.8 Million

LeBron James is the highest-paid basketball player on Forbes' 2026 list, earning an estimated $137.8 million.

His income demonstrates the importance of commercial ventures to the world's biggest sports stars. Forbes estimates that $52.8 million came from his basketball earnings, while a much larger $85 million came from endorsements and other off-court activities.

Sportico's estimate, reported by Planet Football, is slightly lower at $128.7 million, including approximately $80 million in endorsements.

James' position near the top of the global rankings comes despite no longer having the NBA's highest salary, highlighting the enormous commercial value of his global brand.

5. Shohei Ohtani — $127.6 Million

Shohei Ohtani has one of the most unusual income profiles among the world's highest-paid athletes.

Forbes estimates his total earnings at $127.6 million, but only $2.6 million comes from on-field earnings. The remaining $125 million comes from endorsements and business activities.

That makes Ohtani the clearest example on the list of how an athlete's commercial value can far exceed his playing income.

Sportico's figure, cited by Planet Football, is lower at $102.5 million, but it likewise identifies endorsements as the overwhelming source of Ohtani's earnings.

6. Stephen Curry — $124.7 Million

Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry ranks sixth globally with estimated earnings of $124.7 million.

Forbes estimates that Curry earned $59.7 million from basketball and another $65 million from endorsements and other commercial activities.

Sportico's estimate is $105.4 million, with $55.4 million attributed to his Warriors salary and approximately $50 million to endorsements.

Curry's presence alongside James and Kevin Durant means basketball accounts for three of the 10 highest-paid athletes on the Forbes list.

7. Jon Rahm — $107 Million

Spanish golfer Jon Rahm ranks seventh with estimated earnings of $107 million.

Unlike many of the athletes ahead of him, Rahm derives the vast majority of his income from competition and related sporting earnings. Forbes estimates $97 million in on-field earnings and $10 million off the field.

Sportico's latest estimate puts Rahm at $100.7 million, just enough to place him in its top 10 as well.

His inclusion underscores golf's growing role in the global sports economy, where tournament winnings, contracts and other competition-related income can produce enormous annual totals.

8. Karim Benzema — $104 Million

Karim Benzema is the third soccer player in Forbes' top 10, with estimated earnings of $104 million.

The former Real Madrid striker's income is overwhelmingly generated by his football career, with Forbes estimating $100 million in on-field earnings and $4 million from off-field activities.

Benzema moved from European football to Saudi Arabia in 2023 and subsequently continued his career in the Saudi Pro League. Planet Football, using Sportico figures, estimates his annual earnings at $115 million, putting him sixth on its list.

The difference between the two estimates illustrates how the ranking can change depending on the source and accounting period.

9. Kevin Durant — $103.8 Million

Kevin Durant rounds out the trio of basketball stars in Forbes' top 10, with estimated earnings of $103.8 million.

His income is relatively evenly divided between basketball and commercial activities. Forbes estimates $54.8 million in on-field earnings and $49 million off the field.

Sportico's estimate, cited by Planet Football, is $100.8 million, with roughly $50 million coming from salary and another $50 million from endorsements.

Durant's ability to generate almost as much off the court as he does through basketball reflects the continued commercial power of elite NBA players.

10. Lewis Hamilton — $100 Million

Formula One star Lewis Hamilton completes Forbes' top 10 with estimated earnings of $100 million.

The seven-time world champion earned approximately $70 million from his racing activities and another $30 million from endorsements and other commercial ventures.

His inclusion on this list means Hamilton is the only Formula One driver in its top 10 highest-paid athletes for 2026. If you want to know more about other athletes' earnings, you can check out the Top 10 Highest-Paid Female Athletes.

Read: Top 10 Highest-Paid NBA Coaches in 2025, Steve Kerr Takes the Lead

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