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.
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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 |