The top 10 sports superstars with the highest revenue in the world in 2025, Ronaldo beat Messi and Curry surpassed James

Recently, Forbes officially announced the "Top Ten Most Highest Athletes in the World in 2025". The 40-year-old Portuguese football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo leads the world with absolute advantage and has become the world's highest-paid athlete for three consecutive years and five times in total!

Let's look at this complete list and the business map of the stars↓↓↓

1, Ronaldo - Football ︳40 years old︳Portugal income: US$225 million

Off-game income: US$50 million

Royce's salary in Riyadh (Al-Nassr) in Saudi Arabia (Al-Nassr) totaled US$275 million, and Ronaldo's salary level also greatly increased the "gold content" of this list, because when he first topped the list in 2016, Ronaldo's total income was US$88 million.

, and Ronaldo is expanding his business territory at the end of his career to prepare for retirement. Ronaldo has accumulated more than 939 million fans on the three mainstream platforms. He also opened a personal blog channel in 2024. Currently, the subscription volume has reached 75 million, making him the sports star with the highest influence and commercial value in the world.

In 2025, Ronaldo also began to invest in movies and established a film studio with Matthew Vaughn, the screenwriter and director of the "Ace Agents" series.

2. Stephen Curry - Basketball 37 years old︳ United States

On-court revenue: US$56 million

Off-court revenue: US$100 million

In 2024, LeBron James set a record high with US$156 million, making him the second highest-income sports star in the world, and was set a record by Curry this year.

Curry signed a one-year contract renewal worth $62.6 million in August last year, and will play for the Warriors until the 2026-27 season, and is expected to lead the NBA in terms of salary during the contract period.

Over the past year, Curry has invested in Nirvana Beverage and Women's Basketball League Unrivaled, and has partnered with former US First Lady Michelle Obama to launch a sports drink brand called Plezi Hydration, and has served as general manager of the basketball program at his alma mater, Davidson College.

3, Tyson Fury - Boxing 36 years old︳UK

On-court revenue: US$140 million

Off-court revenue: US$6 million

In 2021, Connor McGregor ranked first with US$180 million, opening the situation where MMA athletes topped the top of the revenue list for the first time. Tyson Fury had previously remained unbeaten in 35 professional games, but Tyson lost to Olek Sandel Usic twice in 2024 and lost the title of WBC boxing champion, which also means the end of the Tyson era. Tyson also announced his retirement, despite this, Tyson still made $140 million at the end of his career.

4, Dak Prescott - Football 31 years old︳U.S. On-court revenue: $127 million

Off-court revenue: $10 million

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott ranked fourth with $137 million

, breaking the NFL revenue record.

In September 2024, Prescott signed a four-year, $240 million contract renewal with the Cowboys, setting a record for the highest annual contract value ($60 million) and guarantee ($231 million). Its $80 million signing bonus is also the highest prepaid amount in the league's history.

5, Leonel Messi - Football 37 years old︳Argentina

On-court income: US$60 million

Off-court income: US$75 million

Now wage arrears in Europe have changed the pattern of world football. More than 20 big-name stars have switched to the Saudi league, while Messi and Suarez have joined the American League.

Although Messi surpassed Ronaldo in many honors, in terms of business value, Ronaldo surpassed Messi many times. After joining Miami International, the club's market value tripled, which is enough to show Messi's business influence.

6. LeBron James - Basketball 40 years old︳ United States

On-court revenue: 48.8 million US dollars

Off-court revenue: 85 million US dollars

Despite the exchange of a new thigh Doncic, the Lakers were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. James' 22nd NBA season became dull again. James, 40, faced the choice of whether to implement the 2025-26 season $52.6 million player option.

James' business territory is undoubtedly. In order to enhance his family's influence, he also used his privilege to bring his son to the NBA and received a guaranteed contract worth $6 million.

James' investment has not been smooth in the past year. SpringHill, an entertainment development and production company he co-founded with Tiger Woods, lost $28 million last year.

7, Juan Soto - Baseball ︳26 years old︳ Dominican Republic

On-court revenue: US$109 million

Off-court revenue: US$5 million

Soto won the "Silver Bar Award" five times before he was 26 years old. In December last year, he signed a 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets, setting a new record in the MLB League..

8. Karim Benzema - Football 37 years old︳France

On-court revenue: US$100 million

Off-court revenue: US$4 million

In 2023, Benzema followed the footsteps of former Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo and signed with Saudi Arabia's professional league Etihad, and his salary rose sharply. But now there are rumors that the French striker may follow the next moves of Ronaldo's old rival Messi. According to the New York Post, he is planning to transfer to MLS before the 2026 World Cup (which will be held in North America).

9. Shohei Otani - Baseball 30 years old︳Japan

On-court revenue: $2.5 million

Off-court revenue: $100 million

In addition to withdrawing $2 million from a huge contract with the Dodgers every year (the rest will be withdrawn from 2034, with $68 million per year), Shohei Otani also earned additional benefits for the Dodgers entering the World Series last year.

Of course, this is insignificant compared to his generous endorsement income. As the designated hitter, Shohei Otani was the last National League MVP and hopes to return to the pitcher position this season. His partner brands span the Pacific Ocean, including New Balance and Beats by Dre in the United States, as well as high-silk skin care products and Seiko watches in Japan.

10, Kevin Durant - Basketball 36 years old︳ United States

On-court revenue: 51.4 million US dollars

Off-court revenue: 50 million US dollars

Although Durant became the king of the team in the NBA, KD led the team to win gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics and became the scoring champion of the United States in the history of the Summer Olympics. His business value is still among the best in the global basketball world.

This article was originally edited by Yitu Sports

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