Ranking of the Highest Paid Athletes in the World in 2024
Being one of the premises by which sports enthusiasts and fans brag about their star players, this question frequently surfaces on the internet. It's no news that sports is the new gold mine of this era, and successful players have mined so big that fortunes can literally qualify as their new names.
If you are ready, sit back and read on to find out who the top 10 highest-paid athletes of 2024 are.
Top 10 highest paid athletes in 2024
1 Kylian Mbappé - $264M
Thanks to his 2024 summer move from PSG to Real Madrid, Mbappé is now the world's highest-paid athlete, earning a whopping $264 million from both on-field and off-field earnings. From his Real-Madrid's five-year contract alone, the French superstar earns €15 million ($16.2 million) annually after tax apart from a massive €150 million bonus package.
Kylian Mbappé's impressive World Cup performance, speed, and proficiency in front of goals are undoubtedly top-notch, earning him a place in the hearts of many fans. He's just 26 years old, and the future seems to hold a lot for him.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo - $260M
The 39-year-old Portuguese football superstar is also the undisputable king of social media, having over 600 million IG followers. His endorsement deals come from Nike, Clear Haircare, Herbalife, and other top brands.
3. Jon Rahm– $218M
Last December, Jon Rahm moved to LIV Golf, and the decision seems to have opened a world of fortune to the Spanish golfer. The tour with financial backing from Saudi Arabia sealed the deal for $350 million.
While he's yet to win any major LIV event in 2024, the Spaniard has already pocketed over $6 million from 7 tournaments. This earning means he's now #6 on the money list of the PGA Tour. According to Forbes, Rahm's off-field pay is $20 million while he earns about $198 million on-field.
4. Lionel Messi - $135M
The fourth highest-paid athlete in 2024 is an eight-time Ballon d'Or winner and an Argentina football superstar. Since arriving at MLS from Paris Saint-Germain, it's been a drastic change of fortunes for the American soccer team.
From sponsorships to incredible preseason tours and increased ticket sales, Inter Miami has never had it so good, all thanks to the Messi effect. Messi takes home $65 million from on-field activities and $75 million from off-field engagements.
5. LeBron James – $128.2M
The fifth highest-paid athlete in 2024 is an American basketballer named LeBron James. He was part of Team USA that won gold at the just-concluded Paris Olympics. The 39-year-old, who has won the MVP for the fourth time in his career plies his trade with the Los Angeles Lakers but may soon switch to NBA Draft to enjoy basketball with his eldest son.
Off-field, James makes 48.2 million dollars while his off-field deals fetch him a whopping 80 million pay per annum. In January, DraftKings became the latest brand to partner with this NBA legend.
6. Giannis Antetokounmpo – $111M
Although just recovering from a calf injury, antetokounmpo's off-the-court star hasn't gone dim. The Milwaukee Bucks star strikes meaningful deals and partnerships, the latest of which are his sixth Nike signature sneaker, Pepsi endorsement, and a production outfit he started in January.
Giannis Antetokounmpo's on-field earnings per annum is $46 million while he rakes in over $65 million from off-field dealings.
7. Neymar – $108M
Another soccer player makes it to the top 10 highest-paid athletes and he's no other than the Brazilian talisman, Neymar. In order to convince him to join the Saudi Pro League, Al Hilah included a tempting signing bonus like a fully furnished mansion and access to a private for the forward. Unfortunately, Neymar sustained an ACL injury that denied much playing time in the first season with the club.
Despite the setback from the injury he sustained, the 36-year-old Brazilian continued to seal mouth-watering deals and endorsements, keeping himself as one of the richest footballers of recent times. His on-field earnings per annum $80 million, while $28 million comes in annually from off-field engagements.
8. Karim Benzema – $106M
After clinching his first and only Ballon d'Or as a Real Madrid player in 2022, Benzema ported to Al Ittihad in Saudi Arabia to join his ex-Madrid teammate, Cristiano Ronaldo. For him, a transfer to Saudi was a choice of peace and fulfillment. As such, Benzema said in an interview "As a Muslim, when you are in Mecca you feel at peace."
The French national is among the top on-field earners raking in $100m annually. His off-field pay is a meager $6m, suggesting that he had minimal endorsements and out-of-football activities.
9. Stephen Curry – $102M
With 52 million dollars in earnings on-field and 50 million dollars off-field, Stephen Curry occupies the ninth place on this chart of highest-paid athletes in 2024. The American basketballer is a sharpshooting specialist, recording over 350 three-pointers in the NBA in the just-concluded season. He is also an integral member of Team USA which won gold in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
10. Lamar Jackson – $100.5M
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is an American football player with two NFL MVP awards and one AFC Central division title. The 27-year-old record signing of $75 million with the Ravens last year contributed to his spot on this list. Jackson earns $98.5 million on-field and $2 million off-field, according to data from Forbes.
Conclusion
Soccer remains the highest-producer of big earners in sports, packing five out of ten. Three of these play in a Saudi Pro League club, making it the highest-paying league this year. If the list is expanded to 25, basketball will have more players than soccer earning big money.
Money continues to shape athletics throughout the world, with clubs and leagues spending big to get a name or attract sports stars. Will this be the undoing of our beloved games or something to transform and make it more competitive? Only time can tell.
