Superstars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and LeBron James are among the many highest-paid athletes on the earth in the intervening time.
These legendary figures have honed their craft by means of years of arduous work. The mastery of their professions brings them fame, fortune and wealth as effectively.
Sportico have lately launched a listing of the sports activities’ highest earners for 2023. The monetary numbers are fairly eye-watering. Aside from their astronomical wages, these athletes earn hefty sums by means of sponsorship offers as effectively.
Footballers, Basketball superstars, Golfers, NFL superstars, and extra have been amongst 2023’s highest earners. On this listicle, we check out the seven highest-paid athletes in 2023.
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo
Arguably the face of soccer, Cristiano Ronaldo earns a mammoth wage from his membership Al-Nassr. The Portugal captain accomplished a transfer to the Saudi Professional League membership on December 31, 2022.
He is paid a king’s ransom, £175 million per yr, by the SPL aspect. Ronaldo’s presence has additionally been an enormous enhance for Saudi Arabian soccer because the league has had an exponential international enlargement lately.
Cristiano Ronaldo, aside from his astronomical wage, additionally has sponsorship ties with main international manufacturers like Nike, Tag Heuer, Armani and extra. He earned an estimated complete of £218 million in 2023 and was the highest-earning athlete.
#2 Jon Rahm
Spanish golfer Jon Rahm had a stunning 2023. The 29-year-old received the Masters final yr and was additionally Europe’s hero of their Ryder Cup triumph in opposition to the US.
Rahm, who lately left the PGA Tour to hitch the LIV Golf Tour, amassed a spectacular £161 million because of his triumphs on the golf course. The world no. 3 golfer ended up second on Sportico’s of highest-paid athletes.
#3 Lionel Messi
The information maintain racking up for Lionel Messi. The Argentina captain took residence his eighth Ballon d’Or award in 2023 and has received the honour thrice greater than his everlasting rival Cristiano Ronaldo.
Messi additionally made a significant profession transfer final yr, leaving European soccer to hitch MLS membership Inter Miami. In 2023, he earned an excellent £52 million in wages from the Herons and likewise PSG.
Furthermore, Messi pockets a large quantity from endorsement offers. The 2022 FIFA World Cup winner took residence a complete of £103 million final yr and is third on Sportico’s checklist.
#4 LeBron James
LA Lakers famous person LeBron James made greater than £99 million final yr, ending up because the fourth highest-paid athlete on the earth.
James, extensively thought to be the face of the NBA, was paid £36 million by the Lakers in wages. Aside from his on-court earnings, James additionally boosts his wealth by means of endorsement offers.
The 39-year-old ended up making a fortune off the court docket as effectively and is within the high 5 of Sportico’s checklist.
#5 Kylian Mbappe
Paris Saint-Germain famous person Kylian Mbappe is usually thought of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi’s inheritor in world soccer. He rounds off the highest 5 of the checklist.
The Frenchman is without doubt one of the coveted gamers on the earth and is paid a mega wage by PSG. Final yr, he earned round £80 million in wages from the Ligue 1 giants.
Aside from his wage, Mbappe additionally earns by means of sponsorship offers, taking pictures his complete earnings up to an enormous £99.2 million. The 25-year-old is the youngest identify within the high 5 of Sportico’s checklist.
#6 Neymar
Kylian Mbappe’s former PSG teammate, Neymar Jr. accomplished a summer season switch to Saudi Professional League giants Al-Hilal in 2023. The Brazilian, although, has hardly performed this season, having been sidelined with a cruciate ligament harm.
Regardless of his health points, Neymar pocketed £96 million final yr by means of wages and endorsement offers. The 32-year-old is a massively widespread determine amongst followers and retains profitable when it comes to his funds.
#7 Stephen Curry
Golden State Warriors famous person Stephen Curry has magical abilities and is a real entertainer. The NBA famous person earns round £50 million in salaries from the Warriors.
Curry was the seventh highest-paid athlete in 2023 and earned round £78.5 million final yr (together with sponsorship offers). The 35-year-old is notably the primary NBA famous person to earn greater than $50 million per yr in salaries.