Report: Cristiano Ronaldo named highest-paid athlete in 2025

Cristiano Ronaldo doesn’t appear to be strapped for cash.

The Portuguese soccer star was named the highest-paid athlete for 2025 on Sportico’s annual list on Wendesday, as he brought home a staggering $260 million last year.

It’s the third consecutive year that Ronaldo has topped the list, and he earned over $100 million more than the next closest athlete.

Boxer Canelo Alvarez ($137 million) was second, while fellow soccer star Lionel Messi was third ($130 million).

As the top earner in MLB, New York Mets star Juan Soto came in at fourth with $129.2 million.

At fifth on the list, Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James was the top NBA and American earner with his $128.7 million.

Two Canadians NBA stars made the cut, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($56.5 million) 38th and Jamal Murray ($44.3 million) 72nd.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes ($80.3 million) was the top NFL earner at 19th, followed closely by Josh Allen ($73.2 million) and Justin Herbert ($71.1).

No NHL players made the top 100.

American tennis player Coco Gauff was the top-earning female athlete of 2025 with $31 million, but she did not crack the top 100.

Former Toronto Raptor and current New York Knick, OG Anunoby, was the final athlete on the list with $37.9 million in earnings.