There was a time when even professional athletes in the big leagues were paid a relative pittance for their jobs. Nowadays, it’s a whole different story. The minimum possible salary in the NFL is $795,000.
That’s generational wealth, for just one season, even if they never touch the field.
This year’s top 10 highest paid athletes in the world has a few surprises. Let’s take a look and see who will earn this most this year.
Lamar Jackson
There are times when Lamar Jackson and the Ravens look unstoppable.
And for a guy who “can’t throw” according to some critics, Lamar Jackson now has two NFL MVP Awards, and they’re not just for running.
In fact, except for touchdowns, all of Lamar’s stats were better in his second MVP season – completion percentage is up, yardage is up, and rushing is down. (Though that last is relative – in his first MVP season in 2019, he rushed for over 1,200 yards!)
For this, the man is getting paid.
Lamar Jackson pay: $100.5 million
Steph Curry
When you literally change the game, you should expect to be paid.
And that’s exactly what’s happened with Steph Curry, point guard for the Golden State Warriors. Everyone knows he changed the game with his 3’s – but do you realize how many awards he’s racked up?
Let’s check it: four championships, two MVPs, two-time scoring champion, and a 10-time All-Star. And of course, he’s got everyone shooting from downtown these days.
Steph Curry pay: $98.9 million
Karim Benzema
France’s Karim Benzema is another player who took the Saudi gold. Lots of it!
Behind only Cristiano Ronaldo for all-time goals for the mighty Real Madrid, this man has over 500 career goals.
Put it this way… this is how much the game has changed in just a few short years. In 2018, Benzema’s Real Madrid contract was for 35 million pounds. His contract for the Saudi club Al-Itthihad is much higher.
Karim Benzema pay: $106 million
Neymar
Brazilians love having mononymous soccer stars, and Neymar joins the likes of Pele, and Ronaldo as one of the best to ever tie up his boots.
The midfielder for Team Brazil and Al Hilal is the highest-scoring Brazilian in Champions League history, and if you can believe it, he has more international goals than both Pele and Ronaldo. His longevity is also a huge factor in his game, with 128 caps under his belt. Like they say, the best ability is availability!
Neymar pay: $121 million
Kylian Mbappe
At just 25 years old, Kylian Mbappe stormed on the scene and has already made himself France’s captain.
And he really did storm on the scene – when he signed with Ligue 1’s Paris Saint-Germain in 2017, he became the most expensive teenage player of all time.
He was also just the second teenager to score a goal in a World Cup final, after Pele. France won that final in 2018, earning Mbappe perhaps the most prestigious trophy in all of sports.
Kylian Mbappe pay: $125 million
Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Greek Freak is surely one of, if not the best, current players in the NBA. While his team the Milwaukee Bucks haven’t seen as much success as some thought they might have, Giannis Antetokounmpo has racked up the individual accolades in spades.
The 6’11” power forward is regarded as one of the greatest in the game, if not NBA history. He’s one of just three players to win both the MVP and Defensive Player of the Year award in the same season – joining legends Michael Jordan and Hakeem Olajuwon.
All this adds up to some serious bank!
Giannis Antetokounmpo pay: $88.4 million
LeBron James
What can be said about King James that hasn’t been said already? Not much – so let’s run down his stats.
Four championships. Two Olympic gold medals. All-time leading scorer in NBA history. Four MVPs. 20-time NBA All-Star.
There’s a reason people actively debate whether or not LeBron James is the true GOAT, over Michael Jordan. Regardless, he’s up there in terms of getting paid!
LeBron James pay: $125.7 million
Lionel Messi
Fresh off his victory with Argentina in the 2022 World Cup, Lionel Messi is regarded as one of the greatest players of all time.
He’s racking up records like they’re dollars, too. He has eight Ballon d’Or awards, six Euro Golden Shoes awards, and has been FIFA’s world’s best player eight times.
Yeah, this guy is good. Real good. Although he’s getting up there in years, he signed with the MLS’ Inter Miami in 2023, and raked in the cash. Between his pay and endorsements, he’s in the big leagues.
Lionel Messi pay: $130 million
Jon Rahm
Perhaps the most surprising entry on our list, Jon Rahm really hit the jackpot. That’s not to say he didn’t earn his stripes.
He had a wild run starting in 2020, when he was ranked the worlds top golfer, right before winning the U.S. Open. Just two years after that, he won the Masters Tournament.
So that seems impressive, right? But still, how is he the second-highest paid athlete in the world? Two words: Saudi Arabia! His checks from LIV Golf are downright absurd, as we’re about to see.
Jon Rahm pay: $203 million
Cristiani Ronaldo
No, not that Ronaldo. Cristiano Ronaldo! Portugal’s pride is certainly, like his similarly-named doppleganger, one of the greatest to ever lace up his boots and hit the pitch.
He has dominated everywhere he’s played, most notably in the Champions League, where he holds just about every record that matters. He’s also one of longest-playing players, still going strong at age 39, after starting on his pro journey at age 13.
But it was his signing with Saudi club Al Nassr that brought him into the airy ranks of highest paid athletes in the world, and here, he is #1.
Cristiano Ronaldo pay: $275 million
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