How much has Cristiano Ronaldo made his third straight year on Forbes’ high-paying athlete list?
Cristiano Ronaldo has received Forbes’ list of top-paid athletes for the third consecutive year and fifth time in his career, thanks to new sponsorships and millions of social network followers.
Former Real Madrid and Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo once again won Forbes’ list of top earners in 2025, for the third straight year he ranked first with his first year. Between May 2024 and May 2025, earning $275 million (approximately Rs 235.6 billion), an achievement also marks Ronaldo’s fifth lead over Forbes.
Forbes’ latest report highlights a record-breaking total of US$4.23 billion (approximately Rs 36,238 crore) among the top 50 athletes, reflecting a significant increase in this number compared to the total US$3.88 billion (approximately Rs 33,240 crore) last year.
Ronaldo’s live rival Lionel Messi is ranked fifth on the list with revenue of US$135 million (about Rs 1,157 crore). It is worth noting that no female athletes entered the top 50 this year, and the US tennis sensational Coco Gauff was nearly $19.2 million. In addition, there are no Indian athletes in the ranking this year.
Currently playing for Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr, Ronaldo has increased his revenue by $15 million from the previous year, thanks to a lucrative off-market representative and sponsorship agreement, with his 939 million social media backing his substantial social media as of May 2025.
Despite his financial success, Ronaldo’s move has not yet brought any major trophys to the club. Behind his roster is Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, who is second, while boxer Tyson Fury takes fourth place.
In addition to Ronaldo and Messi, Karim Benzema is also the third-place football player in the eighth place in the top 10. Other NBA superstars in the ranking include LeBron James and Kevin Durant.
Baseball’s sensation Shohei Ohtani is currently ranked ninth with $102.5 million, largely due to the strategic extension of his lucrative contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers’ World Series victory further expanded his financial success last year.
Phoenix Suns NBA superstar Kevin Durant is in the top ten and has accumulated $101.4 million.
10 high-paying athletes in the world 2025
1. CristianoRonaldo, Football: $275 million
2. Stephen Curry, Basketball: $156m
3. Tyson Fury, Boxing: $146 million
4. DakPrescott, American Football: $137 million
5. Lionel Messi, Football: $135 million
6. LeBron James, Basketball: $133.8 million
7. JuanSoto, Baseball: $114 million
8. Karim Benzema, Football: $104 million
9. ShoheiOhtani, Baseball: $102.5 million
10. Kevin Durant, Basketball: $101.4 million
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