The most-paid athlete in the world according to Forbes is Cristiano Ronaldo overtakes Messi, who will also set a Guinness World Record in 2023 for the greatest yearly salary.
Cristiano Ronaldo overtakes Messi, who held the championship in 2022, with anticipated earnings of $136 million in the 12 months preceding May 2023. Ronaldo’s earnings are split between his on-field achievements, which bring in $46 million, and his astonishing off-field earnings, which include sponsorship deals and CR7-branded items. After leaving Manchester United earlier this year, the Portuguese star signed a lucrative contract with Al-Nassr, virtually tripling his income to $75 million.
Second on the list and with earnings of $130 million is Lionel Messi. His income is split equally between on-field revenue and off-field income, both of which total $65 million.
Behind Messi is Kylian Mbappé, whose $120 million total income is primarily influenced by his $100 million on-field earnings. Notably, LeBron James earns $119 million in 2023, which includes $44.5 million from his on-court performance and $75 million from his off-court success, to secure fourth position, breaking the previous record for the biggest year earnings by a basketball player.
A well-known boxer named Canelo Alvarez also set a record in 2023, earning $110 million, with $100 million coming from the ring and $10 million from other sources.
The highest yearly earnings for male and female tennis players in 2023 will be held by retired tennis greats Roger Federer and Serena Williams, who will retire in September 2022 and 2023, respectively. Serena earns 49th position with a total earnings of $45.3 million, the bulk of which comes from off-court profits, whereas Federer ranks ninth overall with $95.1 million, mostly from off-court earnings.
Source – Forbes