The world of sports is undoubtedly fascinating not only for its thrilling competitions and passionate fans but also for the immense wealth it brings. We have compiled a list of the top 5 highest-paid athletes worldwide in 2024, highlighting the astronomical earnings achieved by these sports icons. From football to basketball, boxing to golf, these athletes have mastered their respective skills and earned riches beyond the dreams of many.
Cristiano Ronaldo's estimated net worth is $260 million, the highest ever for any soccer player, and makes him the world's highest-paid athlete for the fourth time in his career. This is largely due to his $200 million annual salary with Al Nassr, which appears to be a worthy investment for the Saudi Pro League club. The 39-year-old forward led the league in scoring with 33 goals and earned Player of the Month honors in August, September, December and March. He is still very valuable to sponsors, often praising his partners — which include crypto exchange Binance and fitness app Arkells — in addition to other deals with Nike, Herbalife, Clear Haircare and most recently Hoop, as well as his 629 million Instagram followers.
Rahm's decision to join LIV Golf last December has paid off handsomely, with him even receiving a reported $350 million guarantee for joining the Saudi-backed tour. Although the Spaniard has yet to win a LIV event, he has already earned $6.6 million from seven tournaments in 2024, which would put him sixth on the PGA Tour's official money list this season (as of May 13). Rahm was also handed the captaincy of LIV's 13th team, Legion XIII, a title that traditionally comes with a 25% equity stake in the league's franchise.
Lionel Messi's arrival in Miami comes at a time when his new club Inter Miami has surged ticket sales, staged an unprecedented global preseason tour and added several lucrative sponsorships, including a partnership with Royal Caribbean, the most valuable jersey deal in MLS history. Forbes estimates Inter Miami is now the second-most valuable franchise in Major League Soccer at $1.03 billion and the club expects revenue to grow from $118 million this year to more than $200 million in 2023. Meanwhile, Messi is performing as advertised. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner has scored 10 goals in his first nine games this season and recently became the first MLS player to record five assists in a single game.
LeBron James' future with the Los Angeles Lakers is the subject of much speculation after another disappointing playoff exit. According to Spotrac, the four-time MVP has a $51.4 million player option with the team, but he has also expressed a desire to play alongside his eldest son Bronny, who has declared for the NBA Draft, while maintaining his college eligibility. Meanwhile, James will likely make his final Olympic appearance as Team USA aims to win gold in Paris this summer. And as he contemplates life after the NBA, James partnered with DraftKings in January and joined a number of celebrities investing in the golf world's new commercial venture, PGA Tour Enterprises.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, one of the best power forwards in basketball history, has won two NBA MVP titles. In addition to his success on the court, he recently ventured into the entertainment industry by launching his own production company in January. In February, he secured a partnership with Pepsi's Starry soft drink. In addition, Antetokounmpo is set to release his sixth signature sneaker with Nike later this year, making him among the highest-paid athletes in 2024
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