Messi
Lionel Messi

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.

Cristiano Ronaldo

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

NoPlayerOff-FieldOn-FieldTotalSportsNationalityMajor SponsorsClub/Team
1Lionel Messi$55 Million$75 Million$130 MillionFootballArgentinaAdidas, Pepsi, Hard RockPSG
2Lebron James$80 Million$41.2 Million$121.2 MillionBasketball USACrypto.comLos Angeles Lakers
3Cristiano Ronaldo$55 Million$60 Million$115 MillionFootballPortugalNike, HerbalifeFree Agent
4Neymar $25 Million$70 Million$95 MillionFootballBrazilPuma, Red BullPSG
5Stephen Curry$45.8 Million$47 Million$92.8 MillionBasketballUSAFTXGolden State Warriors
6Kevin Durant$50 Million$42.1 Million$92.1 MillionBasketballUSANike, Weedmaps,Brooklyn Nets
7Roger Federer$90 Million$0.7 Million$90.7 MillionTennisSwitzerlandRolex, UniqloTennis
8Canelo Alvarez$5 Million$85 Million$90 MillionBoxingMexico
9Tom Brady $52 Million $31.9 Million$83.9 MillionFootball QuarterbackUSANFL
10Giannis Antetokounmpo$41 Million$39.9 Million$80.9 MillionBasketballGreece NFT Star, WhatsAppMilwaukee Bucks
Source- forbes.com