Updated: 18 December 2022
Messi, Federer, The World’s Top 10 Forbes Highest-Paid Athletes 2022. In the Forbes list of highest-paid athletes from May 2021 to May 2022, Argentinian football team captain and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) star Lionel Messi is on top of the list ahead of 37-year-old NBA star LeBron James. Lionel Messi’s total remained whopping at $130 million with James’ total income at $121.2 million.
Four-time NBA most valuable player LeBron has become the first active player in NBA history with a net worth of $1 billion and ranks second in off-field earnings, with $80 million made over the past year.
Also Read: Ronaldo vs Messi: Goals, Stats, Awards, Net Worth, Who Is The Best?
Others on the Forbes list are Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, and Brazilian Neymar. National Basketball Association (NBA) stars Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, & Giannis Antetokounmpo; Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer, boxer Canelo Alvarez, and American football quarterback Tom Brady also made the top 10 list.
20 Grand slam winner Roger Federer has the largest gap between on-field ($0.7 million) and off-field ($90 million). Federer has played only in six tournaments since 2020, due to injuries.
27 years old Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is the youngest athlete on this list.
Also Read: Top 10 Richest Basketball Players Of All-Time
The World’s Top 10 Forbes Highest-Paid Athletes 2022
| No | Player | Off-Field | On-Field | Total | Sports | Nationality | Major Sponsors | Club/Team |
| 1 | Lionel Messi | $55 Million | $75 Million | $130 Million | Football | Argentina | Adidas, Pepsi, Hard Rock | PSG |
| 2 | Lebron James | $80 Million | $41.2 Million | $121.2 Million | Basketball | USA | Crypto.com | Los Angeles Lakers |
| 3 | Cristiano Ronaldo | $55 Million | $60 Million | $115 Million | Football | Portugal | Nike, Herbalife | Free Agent |
| 4 | Neymar | $25 Million | $70 Million | $95 Million | Football | Brazil | Puma, Red Bull | PSG |
| 5 | Stephen Curry | $45.8 Million | $47 Million | $92.8 Million | Basketball | USA | FTX | Golden State Warriors |
| 6 | Kevin Durant | $50 Million | $42.1 Million | $92.1 Million | Basketball | USA | Nike, Weedmaps, | Brooklyn Nets |
| 7 | Roger Federer | $90 Million | $0.7 Million | $90.7 Million | Tennis | Switzerland | Rolex, Uniqlo | Tennis |
| 8 | Canelo Alvarez | $5 Million | $85 Million | $90 Million | Boxing | Mexico | ||
| 9 | Tom Brady | $52 Million | $31.9 Million | $83.9 Million | Football Quarterback | USA | NFL | |
| 10 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | $41 Million | $39.9 Million | $80.9 Million | Basketball | Greece | NFT Star, WhatsApp | Milwaukee Bucks |