Lionel Messi was the world’s highest-paid athlete over the last year, according to the annual Forbes list released on Wednesday.
Messi earned $130 million, a figure which includes $55 million of endorsements, during the 12-month period ended May 1, 2022, to sit atop the list of the 10 highest-paid athletes a year after finishing second to Irish MMA fighter Conor McGregor.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James was next on the list after bringing home a combined $121 million, shattering the $96.5 million record for an NBA player that he set last year, while Cristiano Ronaldo earned $115 million was third.
Brazilian soccer player Neymar ($95 million) and three-time NBA champion Stephen Curry ($92.8 million) of the Golden State Warriors rounded out the top five.
Forbes said its on-the-field earnings figures include all prize money, salaries and bonuses earned during the 12-month period while off-field earnings are an estimate of sponsorship deals, appearance fees and licensing income.
Check out the world’s top 10 highest-paid athletes:
1. Lionel Messi
Total Earnings: $121.2 million
On-Field Earnings: $41.2 million
Off-Field Earnings: $80 million
3. Cristiano Ronaldo
Total Earnings: $115 million
On-Field Earnings: $60 million
Off-Field Earnings: $55 million
4. Neymar
Total Earnings: $95 million
On-Field Earnings: $70 million
Off-Field Earnings: $25 million
5. Stephen Curry
Total Earnings: $92.8 million
On-Field Earnings: $45.8 million
Off-Field Earnings: $47 million
6. Kevin Durant
Total Earnings: $92.1 million
On-Field Earnings: $42.1 million
Off-Field Earnings: $50 million
7. Roger Federer
Total Earnings: $90.7 million
On-Field Earnings: $0.7 million
Off-Field Earnings: $90 million
8. Canelo Alvarez
Total Earnings: $90 million
On-Field Earnings: $85 million
Off-Field Earnings: $5 million
9. Tom Brady
Total Earnings: $83.9 million
On-Field Earnings: $31.9 million
Off-Field Earnings: $52 million
10. Giannis Antetokounmpo
Total Earnings: $80.9 million
On-Field Earnings: $39.9 million
Off-Field Earnings: $41 million
Photographs: Getty Images
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