Top 10 Highest-Paid Athletes of 2025: Ronaldo Leads with Record-Breaking $275 Million

Forbes has released its annual list of the world's highest-paid athletes for 2025, revealing a record-breaking total of $1.4 billion among the top 10. Cristiano Ronaldo leads with $275 million, a sum boosted by endorsements beyond his Al Nassr contract. "His income isn't just from football," explains a sports analyst, "but also from ventures in technology, film, and various other business interests." Other notable names include basketball stars Kevin Durant ($101.4 million) and Stephen Curry ($156 million), showcasing the lucrative nature of top-tier sports. Baseball player Shohei Ohtani's $102.5 million salary also highlights the impressive financial success in various sporting fields. This year's list underscores the rising influence of endorsements and off-field ventures in shaping athletes' overall earnings.