Football superstar <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/football/article/cristiano-ronaldo-hints-at-al-nassr-exit-after-conclusion-of-saudi-pro-league-23553448" rel="nofollow">Cristiano Ronaldo</a> emerges highest-paid athlete in 2025 with &pound;194mn (approximately Rs 2350cr), beating rival Lionel Messi by far (&pound;97mn; approximately Rs 1175 cr)
The indefatigable 40-year-old football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo topped the list of highest-paid athletes in 2025, dwarfing the likes of rival Lionel Messi and boxing star Canelo Alvarez in the process.
According to sports media website Sportico, the Portuguese great raked in a whopping &pound;194 million (approximately Rs 2350 crore) in the last year. His wages at Saudi Arabian club <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/football/article/cristiano-ronaldo-bicycle-kick-highlight-of-al-nassr-ninth-successive-win-in-saudi-pro-league-23604639" rel="nofollow">Al-Nassr</a> amounted to &pound;149 mn (approximately Rs 1805 crore), with an additional &pound;45mn (approximately Rs 545 crore) coming through brand endorsements.
In second place stands Mexico&rsquo;s Alvarez with &pound;102mn (approximately Rs 1235 crore), whose two blockbuster fights with William Scull and Terence Crawford saw him earn &pound;93mn (approximately Rs 1126 crore), with the remaining &pound;9mn (approximately R109 crore) secured via brand deals.
Next comes <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/football/article/messis-argentina-to-face-india-for-exhibition-game-in-october-23507501" rel="nofollow">Argentina</a> football superstar Messi at &pound;97mn (approximately Rs 1175 crore). Interestingly, &pound;52mn (approximately Rs 630 crore) of Messi&rsquo;s income from the last year came via endorsements, the rest of the &pound;45mn &nbsp; (approximately Rs 545 crore) was the salary paid to him by Inter Miami.
Fourth on the list is baseball star Juan Soto with &pound;96mn (approximately Rs 1163 crore), followed by basketball legend LeBron James with &pound;95.9mn (approximately Rs 1162 crore).
<h2>Top Five</h2>
Highest-Paid Athletes (2025) &pound; Cristiano Ronaldo (footballer) - &pound;194mn (approximately Rs 2350cr) &pound; Canelo Alvarez (boxer) - &pound;102mn (approximately Rs 1235cr) &pound; Lionel Messi (footballer) - &pound;97mn (approximately Rs 1175cr) &pound; Juan Soto (baseballer) - &pound;96mn (approximately Rs 1163cr) &pound; LeBron James (Basketballer) - &pound;95.9mn (approximately Rs 1162cr)

The indefatigable 40-year-old football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo topped the list of highest-paid athletes in 2025, dwarfing the likes of rival Lionel Messi

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Fourth on the list is baseball star Juan Soto with £96mn (approximately Rs 1163 crore), followed by basketball legend LeBron James with £95.9mn (approximately Rs 1162 crore)

Cristiano Ronaldo beats Lionel Messi to emerge as highest-paid athlete in 2025

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