Ronaldo holds a $119 million lead over second-placed Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors, who earned $156 million this year.
At 40 years of age, Cristiano Ronaldo continues to redefine longevity and dominance, not just on the pitch, but in the financial arena as well. Fresh off leading Portugal to Nations League glory with a memorable victory over Spain, the Al Nassr forward has now added another feather to his cap.
The Portuguese icon has again topped Forbes’ list of the world’s highest-paid athletes for 2025, raking in a staggering $275 million between May 2024 and May 2025. This marks the third consecutive year that CR7 leads the rankings and his fifth time overall, putting him in elite company when it comes to lifetime earnings.
Ronaldo played for Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr this past season. Ronaldo’s historic total includes a mix of salary at Al Nassr and his commercial ventures. His 2025 haul is now the third-best single-year earnings ever by an active athlete, only surpassed by Floyd Mayweather’s $300 million in 2015 and $285 million in 2018. He holds a $119 million lead over second-placed Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors, who earned $156 million this year.
Ronaldo isn’t the only footballer making waves on the list. Lionel Messi, now with Inter Miami, ranks 5th with $135 million. While his earnings remain steady year-on-year, a significant portion of his income comes from sponsorships and commercial deals, including global partnerships with Apple and Adidas. His presence has boosted the MLS’s global visibility, but financially, he still trails Ronaldo by a long way.
Another Saudi-based star, Karim Benzema, is at number 8 position in the list, earning $104 million while playing for Al-Ittihad. The French striker’s move to the Saudi Pro League has paid off in more ways than one, contributing heavily to his place among the elite earners in the world.
Surprisingly, Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe finds himself at 16th position on the list. Despite being one of the most electrifying talents in world football, the French superstar failed to crack the top 10, ranking 16th with $90 million in earnings. While his on-field performances remain world-class for club and country, Mbappe has yet to fully capitalize on his global brand potential in the same way as Ronaldo or Messi.
With his high-profile transfer to Real Madrid last season, Mbape will enter the peak years of his footballing career in the coming years. As a result, the French attacker will hope to convert his fame into fortune at the same scale as the legends ahead of him.
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