If you are asking what sports player is the highest paid, the answer in the latest Forbes annual ranking is Cristiano Ronaldo. Forbes named Ronaldo the world’s highest-paid athlete for 2026, with estimated earnings of $275 million for the 12-month period from May 1, 2025, through May 1, 2026.
Ronaldo’s earnings include money from his soccer contract as well as sponsorships, endorsements, and other business income. His position at the top of the list shows how the biggest sports stars can earn enormous amounts both from competing and from commercial opportunities away from their sport.
It is important to distinguish highest-paid athlete from richest athlete. Highest-paid refers to earnings over a particular period, while net worth measures the estimated value of everything a person owns, minus liabilities.
Who is the highest-paid sports player?
Cristiano Ronaldo is the highest-paid sports player on Forbes’ 2026 list.
The Portuguese soccer star earned an estimated $275 million during Forbes’ measurement period. Forbes says Ronaldo returned to the top of its annual athlete earnings ranking after a record year.
His income comes from two major categories:
- On-field compensation
- Off-field earnings
Forbes reports that Ronaldo’s contract with Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr pays him more than $200 million annually, which is a major part of his overall earnings. He also has numerous sponsorship and commercial relationships.
How much does Cristiano Ronaldo make?
Ronaldo’s exact annual compensation can vary depending on the definition being used. A player’s contract salary is not necessarily the same as total annual earnings.
Forbes’ highest-paid-athlete ranking includes salary, prize money, sponsorships, appearance fees, and other income earned during its measurement period.
That means Ronaldo’s $275 million figure should not be interpreted as simply his soccer salary.
His enormous commercial profile also contributes significantly to his income. Forbes identifies sponsors including Nike, Binance, Herbalife, LEGO, Panini, Therabody, and Whoop on his profile.
Why does Ronaldo earn so much?
Ronaldo’s earning power comes from a combination of elite-level soccer compensation and an exceptionally large global audience.
He has played for some of the world’s most recognizable soccer clubs, including Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and Al-Nassr. His success and international popularity have also made him an attractive marketing partner for major companies.
His social-media following is another major commercial asset. Forbes describes him as arguably the world’s most popular athlete, with nearly one billion followers across Instagram, Facebook, and X.
For brands, that audience can provide exposure far beyond what a normal advertising campaign can achieve.
Who are the other highest-paid athletes?
Ronaldo is followed by other global sports stars, including athletes from boxing, soccer, basketball, and other major sports.
Forbes’ 2026 list contains 50 athletes from eight sports. The top 10 all earned at least $100 million during the measurement period.
Some of the biggest earners include:
| Athlete | Sport | 2026 estimated earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Cristiano Ronaldo | Soccer | $275 million |
| Canelo Alvarez | Boxing | $170 million |
| Lionel Messi | Soccer | $140 million |
| Other top athletes | Various sports | $100 million+ for the rest of the top 10 |
Forbes’ figures represent estimated total earnings for its specified 12-month period rather than lifetime income.
Is Lionel Messi the highest-paid sports player?
No. Lionel Messi is one of the highest-paid athletes in the world, but he ranked third on Forbes’ 2026 overall athlete earnings list.
Forbes estimates that Messi earned approximately $140 million during the measured period.
Messi’s income comes from both soccer and off-field business activities. Forbes reports that he earned an estimated $70 million on the field during the relevant season and another $70 million from endorsements and other business activities.
His long-term commercial partnerships include brands such as Adidas, Mastercard, Michelob Ultra, and Lay’s.
Is Ronaldo the highest-paid soccer player?
Yes, Ronaldo was the highest-paid soccer player in Forbes’ 2026 rankings.
His earnings were substantially higher than Messi’s during the measurement period. Forbes estimates Ronaldo’s total at $275 million compared with Messi’s $140 million.
Ronaldo’s compensation from Al-Nassr is a major reason for the difference. Forbes says the club pays him more than $200 million annually.
Is the highest-paid athlete always the richest?
No.
This is one of the most important differences to understand when discussing athlete wealth.
Highest-paid athlete means the person who earned the most money during a particular period.
Richest athlete generally refers to the person with the highest estimated net worth.
Those rankings can be very different.
For example, Michael Jordan has accumulated a multibillion-dollar fortune through business interests, investments, endorsements, and the Jordan Brand. Ronaldo earns more annually than Jordan because Jordan is retired from professional competition, but Jordan’s accumulated wealth is much greater.
An athlete can therefore be the highest-paid player in a particular year without being the richest athlete overall.
How do athletes become the highest paid?
There are several major sources of athlete income.
Playing contracts
The largest source for many professional athletes is their sports contract.
Depending on the sport, this can include salary, signing bonuses, performance bonuses, prize money, appearance payments, and other compensation.
Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr contract is an especially large example.
Sponsorships and endorsements
Top athletes can earn millions by representing companies.
The biggest stars may have partnerships involving athletic footwear, clothing, food and beverages, financial services, technology, automobiles, and other consumer products.
Business investments
Some athletes invest in businesses or create companies of their own.
If those businesses become successful, their value can substantially increase the athlete’s overall income and wealth.
Personal brands
An athlete’s name can itself become a valuable commercial brand.
Ronaldo, Messi, LeBron James, and Michael Jordan are examples of athletes whose names have developed into powerful global brands.
Are soccer players paid more than athletes in other sports?
Not necessarily, but soccer produces some of the world’s highest earners.
Ronaldo and Messi occupy two of the top positions on Forbes’ 2026 overall athlete earnings list. However, Canelo Alvarez, a boxer, ranked second with estimated earnings of $170 million.
Basketball and American football also produce athletes with enormous annual incomes.
For example, Forbes’ 2026 profiles list NBA stars such as Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic among the world’s highest-paid athletes, while NFL players such as Jalen Hurts also appear on the list.
The amounts can change considerably from year to year because contracts, endorsements, championships, prize money, and other opportunities vary.
What about NBA players?
NBA stars are among the highest-paid athletes in the United States.
However, no NBA player topped Forbes’ overall 2026 athlete earnings ranking.
Luka Doncic, for example, had estimated 2026 earnings of $60.9 million, according to Forbes. Nikola Jokic was estimated at $62.3 million.
Other NBA players also earned substantial amounts from contracts and endorsements.
The NBA’s salary structure allows elite players to sign very large contracts, while successful players can add significant off-court income through sponsorships and business ventures.
What about NFL players?
NFL players can also make enormous amounts of money, particularly quarterbacks who sign major contracts.
Forbes’ 2026 list includes Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts with estimated earnings of $56.6 million.
That is an enormous income, but it is well below Ronaldo’s estimated $275 million for the same Forbes measurement period.
NFL players can also earn additional money through endorsements, appearances, investments, and business ventures.
Why is annual athlete income difficult to compare?
Comparing athletes from different sports is not always straightforward.
A soccer player might receive a large club salary and substantial endorsement income. A boxer may receive a huge purse for one major fight. An NFL player may receive a large signing bonus as part of a multiyear contract.
Those earnings do not necessarily arrive in the same way or on the same schedule.
Forbes attempts to make the comparison more consistent by estimating total earnings over a defined 12-month period and including both on-field and off-field income.
Could someone replace Ronaldo as the highest-paid athlete?
Yes. The ranking can change every year.
An athlete could move into first place after signing a record contract, receiving a major endorsement deal, winning a large prize, or participating in a particularly lucrative event.
Ronaldo has been at or near the top of athlete earnings rankings for years, but there is no permanent highest-paid athlete.
Forbes’ 2026 ranking specifically notes that Ronaldo returned to the top after a record year.
Frequently Asked Questions
What sports player is the highest paid?
Cristiano Ronaldo is the highest-paid athlete on Forbes’ 2026 list, with estimated earnings of $275 million for the measurement period.
What sport pays the highest-paid player the most?
Soccer currently has the highest-paid athlete overall, with Cristiano Ronaldo leading Forbes’ 2026 rankings.
How much does Cristiano Ronaldo make a year?
Forbes estimated Ronaldo’s total earnings at $275 million for its 2026 ranking period. His Al-Nassr compensation accounts for more than $200 million annually, with additional income coming from sponsorships and other business activities.
Is Messi richer than Ronaldo?
That depends on whether you mean annual earnings or net worth. Ronaldo earned more than Messi in Forbes’ 2026 athlete earnings ranking, while net-worth estimates are a separate measurement.
Who is the highest-paid athlete in the United States?
The answer depends on whether the question means an American athlete or an athlete playing in a U.S. league. Forbes’ overall 2026 ranking is global, and Ronaldo is No. 1.
Who is the highest-paid basketball player?
NBA players are among the world’s highest-paid athletes, but no NBA player ranked above Ronaldo on Forbes’ 2026 overall earnings list. Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic were among the leading NBA earners.
Who is the highest-paid boxer?
Canelo Alvarez ranked second overall on Forbes’ 2026 highest-paid athlete list, with estimated earnings of $170 million.
Conclusion
So, what sports player is the highest paid? In Forbes’ latest 2026 annual ranking, the answer is Cristiano Ronaldo, with estimated earnings of $275 million during the measured 12-month period.
Ronaldo’s enormous earnings come from a combination of his soccer compensation and substantial off-field income from sponsorships, endorsements, and other commercial activities. Canelo Alvarez ranked second at an estimated $170 million, while Lionel Messi ranked third at approximately $140 million.
The key point is that being the highest-paid athlete is different from being the richest athlete. Annual earnings measure what an athlete makes during a particular period, while net worth measures accumulated wealth.