Highest Paid Athlete in the World 2023 - Top 10 Expensive Players
by Maivizhi A
Updated Mar 30, 2023
Highest Paid Athlete in the World 2023
Despite the challenges faced by the pandemic, the top 50 athletes earned a staggering $2.97 billion before taxes and agent fees, surpassing last year's record by over $200 million. Endorsement deals and other off-field endeavors brought in $1.06 billion, setting a new record. Although two football stars took pay cuts after switching clubs, their sponsorship deals kept them at the forefront. Lionel Messi of Paris Saint-Germain tops the list with $130 million, followed by Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo with $115 million. LeBron James broke the $100 million barrier for the first time and ranked second with $121.2 million, while Naomi Osaka of Japan topped the women's list at $59.2 million and 19th overall. Despite the financial struggles caused by the pandemic, these athletes continue to earn significant amounts of money thanks to their talent and hard work.
Top 10 Highest Paid Athlete in the World 2023
Here is the list of Top 10 Highest Paid Athlete in the World 2023 and check out below to know their estimated earnings.
Rank
Name
Sport
Total Earnings
1
Lionel Messi
Association football
$130 million
2
LeBron James
Basketball
$121.2 million
3
Cristiano Ronaldo
Association football
$115 million
4
Neymar
Association football
$95 million
5
Stephen Curry
Basketball
$92.8 million
6
Kevin Durant
Basketball
$92.1 million
7
Roger Federer
Tennis
$90.7 million
8
Canelo Álvarez
Boxing
$90 million
9
Tom Brady
American football
$83.9 million
10
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Basketball
$80.9 million
Let us see each Athlete in detail.
1. Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi, the soccer star from Argentina, has earned an astounding $130 million USD in the year 2023, making him the world's highest-paid athlete. This marks the first time he has tied with Cristiano Ronaldo in terms of off-field earnings, which amounted to $55 million USD and were boosted by lucrative endorsement deals that went beyond his usual partners, Adidas, Budweiser, and PepsiCo. In June of the previous year, Messi was appointed as the face of Hard Rock International, which propelled him to the top of the earnings chart. Messi is 34 years old and has a clothing line, Ginny Hilfiger, in addition to his sponsorship deals. His net worth is estimated at $130 million USD.
2. LeBron James
LeBron James had a remarkable year in 2021, earning an NBA-record payday and continuing to accumulate wealth even when his team, the Los Angeles Lakers, struggled on the court. He boosted his off-court earnings by receiving a cash payment of $80 million, which doubled his on-court earnings. James also made a savvy investment by purchasing a minority stake in Springhill Entertainment, which was sold for approximately $725 million. Despite the delay of his Hollywood debut in the movie "Space Jam: A New Legacy" until 2023, he capitalized on the investment. According to Forbes, his net worth is currently estimated at $850 million. James is 37 years old and is a basketball player from the United States. He is sponsored by PepsiCo and Fenway Sports Group, which owns the Red Sox, Liverpool FC, and Roush Fenway Racing. His earnings in 2021 amounted to $96.5 million.
3. Cristiano Ronaldo
At the age of 37, Cristiano Ronaldo achieved a major milestone in 2021 by garnering a combined 500 million followers across his social media accounts, making him the first person ever to do so. In 2023, his social media following has grown even more to a staggering 690 million, which has translated into massive profits for Ronaldo through brand partnerships. His off-field earnings have surpassed $55 million, and this is largely attributed to his lucrative sponsorship deals, such as his lifetime partnership with Nike and his CR7 business, which covers branded clothing, accessories, hotels, and gyms. At 37 years of age, a soccer player from Portugal has earned US$120 million in 2021 through various sponsorships, including a lifetime deal with Nike and his own brand of clothing, accessories, hotels, and gyms, known as CR7.
4. Neymar
Neymar terminated his contract with Nike’s Jordans brand earlier and struck a lucrative deal with Puma in 2021, which kept him rolling in money in 2023. Additionally, the Brazilian football star's earnings remained on the course due to the release of Neymar: Perfect Anarchy, a Netflix documentary. Moreover, Neymar has also ventured into NFTs and made a few million dollars through his NFTSTAR partnership with Bored Apes. At the age of 30, this Brazilian soccer player has made a name for himself not just in the field, but also in the world of endorsements. His sponsorships include Puma, Fortnite, and NFTs. In 2021 alone, he reportedly earned an impressive US$95 million.
5. Steph Curry
Steph Curry has secured his spot on the list for a few more years with his recent four-year, $215 million extension deal signed in August. It remains to be seen where he will land on the list in the final year of his contract, where he is expected to earn close to $60 million. However, if his investments in FTX Metaverse and Unimus Media (Comcast NBCUniversal) pay off, he is likely to be at the top of the list. Additionally, his sponsorships with Under Armour, Comcast NBCUniversal, and FTX metaverse contribute to his overall earnings.
6. Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant made a comeback in the 2022-2023 season after recovering from an Achilles injury that kept him off the court in the previous season. Despite the Brooklyn Nets' failed playoff run, Durant continued to earn big bucks, raking in $50 million in off-court earnings. The basketball star also ventured into investment opportunities, including NFT platforms like OpenC, Coinbase, Weedmaps, and NBA Top Shot. This individual is 33 years old and plays basketball professionally. They are a citizen of the United States and have sponsorship deals with companies such as Thirty-Five Ventures, Two Distant Strangers, Uber, OpenSea, and Weedmaps. Their earnings for 2021 amounted to US$75 million.
7. Roger Federer
Roger Federer has been raking in the dough off the court, making him the highest-earning athlete of the year. The tennis legend garnered an impressive $90 million from various deals, with major brands like Uniqlo and Rolex leading the way. His bet on On Running in 2019 also paid off handsomely, as the company's IPO in September raised an astonishing $600 million. The tennis player from Switzerland, aged 40, earned $90 million in 2021 through sponsorships from brands such as On, Rolex, and Uniqlo.
8. Canelo Alvarez
Canelo Alvarez, a Mexican boxer, landed a spot on the list of highest-paid athletes in 2023 thanks to two lucrative boxing matches that brought in over $40 million. He's signed deals with Hennessy, Canelo Productions, and Matchroom Boxing, as well as DAZN to promote boxing matches in Mexico, as reported by Forbes. He's also sponsored by taco restaurants.
9. Tom Brady
At 44 years old, Tom Brady shows no signs of slowing down after an impressive 2021 season that culminated in a Lombardi Trophy win. He even came out of retirement after just six weeks. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback has continued to add to his wealth with endorsement deals, including eyewear maker Christopher Klose and apparel giant Fanatics. Brady has also signed a massive $540 million deal with Fox for 2023. Other sponsorships under his belt include TB12, a film production company, and an NFT platform. Forbes estimates his earnings in 2021 to be $76 million.
10. Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis Antetokounmpo, the only athlete under the age of 30 to be included in the world’s highest-paid athletes list for 2023, secured his spot with a five-year, $228 million contract signed in December 2020. With support from WhatsApp and Google, as well as partnerships with Nike and NFTSTAR, the basketball star's earnings are expected to continue to grow. Moreover, his biopic "Rise," which will soon be available on Disney+, is set to keep him on the list for years to come.
Who is the Highest Paid Athlete of 2023?
Lionel Messi was born on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina, and is currently 35 years old. He has been married to Antonela since 2017. Messi is a member of the Paris Saint-Germain F.C. (#30/Forward) and the Argentina national football team (#10/Forward), earning a salary of 4.1 crores USD in 2022. Standing at 1.69m, he wears a shoe size of 10. In the 12-month period starting from May 1, 2023, Messi earned $130 million, with $55 million coming from endorsements, which secured his position as the highest-paid athlete, surpassing Irish MMA fighter Conor McGregor who finished second. While salaries are often in the news, Messi's endorsement deals and other business interests are where he makes most of his money.
Who is the Highest Paid Athlete of All Time?
Michael Jordan, the former Chicago Bulls superstar, has left a lasting impact on the NBA and basketball culture, as well as the sneaker industry with his eponymous shoe brand. He has become a billionaire due to his success in both basketball and business. According to a list of the Highest Paid Athletes of All-Time adjusted for inflation, Jordan has earned a total of $3.3 billion, which is significantly more than Tiger Woods, who is in second place with $2.5 billion. Jordan's name is synonymous with success, and his brand continues to thrive even after his playing days. His earnings with the Jordan Brand and Nike exceed $1.8 billion. MJ's impact on the world of sports and business is unparalleled, and his name will forever be associated with excellence and success.
Conclusion
In 2023, Lionel Messi of Paris Saint-Germain tops the list of the highest-paid athletes in the world, with earnings of $130 million. Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo ranked second with $115 million, followed by LeBron James who broke the $100 million barrier for the first time and ranked third with $121.2 million. Naomi Osaka of Japan topped the women's list and ranked 19th overall with $59.2 million. Despite the challenges brought by the pandemic, these athletes continue to earn significant amounts of money thanks to their talent and hard work, with endorsement deals and other off-field endeavors bringing in $1.06 billion and setting a new record. Even with the salary cuts of some football stars, their sponsorship deals kept them at the forefront of the highest-paid athletes in the world.
Highest Paid Athlete in the World - FAQs
Lionel Messi of Paris Saint-Germain is the highest-paid athlete in the world in 2023, with earnings of $130 million.
Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo ranked second with $115 million in earnings in 2023.
LeBron James broke the $100 million barrier for the first time in 2023 and ranked third with $121.2 million in earnings.
These athletes earned a collective $1.06 billion in 2023, setting a new record.
Naomi Osaka of Japan topped the women's list and ranked 19th overall with $59.2 million in earnings in 2023.