Cristiano Ronaldo tops list of highest-paid athletes in 2024 ahead of NBA superstar Steph Curry, heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury and eternal rival Lionel Messi

Evergreen frontman Ronaldo, who is still going strong with Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr at 40 years of age, earned $260 million (£208m) across the last calendar year – with $215m (£172m) of that coming from his record-breaking contract in the Middle East.

NBA superstar Curry, of the Golden State Warriors, fills second spot on the Sportico top-earners list on $153.8m (£123m). Former world heavyweight boxing champion Fury is third ($147m/£118m), while Ronaldo’s eternal rival Messi – who is now in MLS with Inter Miami – sitting fourth ($135m/£108m) and LA Lakers icon LeBron James ($133.2m/£107m) completing the top five.

Overall, the top 100 highest-paid athletes on the planet pulled in an estimated $6.2 billion (£5bn) between them. Prominent figures from eight different sports – football, basketball, boxing, golf, American football, Formula 1, baseball and tennis – make the list, with 27 countries represented.

There are no female athletes inside the top 100, with tennis superstar Coco Gauff – who won her maiden Grand Slam title at the US Open in 2024 – the top earner in her field at $30.4m (£24m). Her on and off-court appeal is expected to help her climb the charts in years to come.

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When it comes to world No.1 Ronaldo, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner has now earned at least $100m (£80m) across eight straight years. His career earnings are now said to top $1.8bn (£1.4bn), with his on-field salary being complemented by endorsement deals with the likes of Nike, Herbalife and Binance.