Top 10 highest-paid athletes in 2023

Cristiano Ronaldo tops the elite list after signing a mega deal with Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr in January.

The top 10 highest-paid athletes in the world today illustrate exactly how much money sports players can make if they excel at the highest level and get worldwide acclaim for their abilities. These sportsmen are certainly at the top of their game with such substantial net worths.

These 10 players have all enjoyed tremendous success during their careers and were richly rewarded for their labours with enormous incomes inside and outside of the sports sectors. Some people have achieved fame via physical prowess, while others have taken advantage of rich commercial possibilities that have arisen as a result of their fame. Here are the 10 highest-paid athletes in 2023 according to Forbes.

10: Roger Federer: $95.1 million

Many people believe Roger Federer, a Swiss tennis player who currently holds the record for the most Grand Slam titles won in a career (20), to be the greatest male tennis player in history. during his career, he has also taken home numerous other honours and titles, including six singles titles at the Australian Open and eight Wimbledon singles titles. With a probable net worth of $450 million USD as of the year 2023, his endorsement deals with brands like Rolex and Mercedes Benz have helped him make millions of dollars each year, putting him among the highest-paid athletes.

9. Kevin Durant: $89.1 million

American basketball player Kevin Durant is now a member of the Brooklyn Nets. Over the course of his career, he has received numerous honours, involving four NBA Most Valuable Player Prizes and two NBA Championships. He is currently one of the highest-paid basketball players thanks to sponsorship arrangements with brands like Nike and Foot Locker; as of the year 2023, the estimated value of his assets was $170 million USD.

8. Stephen Curry: $100.4 million

The Warriors star is the highest-paid NBA player this season with an annual salary of $48.1 million. Additionally, he recently partnered with Chase Bank in addition to having a long-term contract with Under Armour. Similar to LeBron James, Stephen Curry is a successful businessman with his own multimedia firm, Unanimous Media, which will soon launch a documentary on him on Apple TV+. Additionally, he has invested in Tiger Woods' TMRW Sport and Golf+.

7. Phil Mickelson: $106 million

American golfer Phil Mickelson is regarded by many as one of the all-time greats. He has captured five major tournaments throughout the course of his career. Moreover, he has made a fortune from endorsements, including a multi-year contract with Callaway Golf that pays him about $20 million annually. He is currently among the wealthiest athletes in the world, with a projected asset of $400 million USD as of the year 2023, thanks to his overall earnings.

6. Dustin Johnson: $107 million

Dustin Johnson was one of several golfers who left the PGA when the Saudi-sponsored LIV golf tour began play in June. Although switching to LIV may have been risky, it gave off once Johnson received $35.6 million. Johnson was able to co-own and lead the 4Aces GC squad after making the transfer. He has earned $3.3 million from five LIV events in only 2023.

5. Canelo Alvarez: $110 million

Mexican boxer Saul "Canelo" Alvarez is among the many honours he has received two Fighter of the Year titles from The Ring and the World Boxing Council. With an estimated wealth of $140 million USD as of the year 2023, his marketing deals with brands like Hennessey and Everlast have helped him earn millions of dollars over the course of his career, putting him among the largest-paid sportsmen in boxing today.

4. LeBron James: $119.5 million

American basketball player LeBron James is now a member of the Los Angeles Lakers. He is one of the most distinguished athletes in the history of the game thanks to his three NBA titles and four MVP honours. As of the year 2023, his estimated net worth is $450 million USD. He became one of the highest-paid sportsmen in the world thanks to his endorsement deals with brands like Nike, Coca-Cola, and Beats by Dre.

Also Read: Top three highest-paid footballers in 2023

3. Kylian Mbappe:  $120 million 

Kylian Mbappé, a colleague of Messi's at Paris Saint Germain, is our third most-paid player, proving that being a football superstar definitely pays off. He is the highest-paid football player in the world, earning $100 million from the game alone on his current wage at the age of 24. In addition, he collaborates with Sorare as a brand representative for the fantasy cryptocurrency game, which adds to his $20 million salary from off-field commercial activities.

2. Lionel Messi: $130 million 

Argentine basketball player Lionel Messi is presently a member of PSG. He is one of the most successful football players and one of the sport's top earners, with a projected net worth of $400 million USD as of the year 2023. He earned seven LaLiga titles, four Champions League titles with Barcelona, as well as multiple individual honours like seven Ballon d'Or awards. He earns almost $30 million a year only from sponsorships, which helps him keep his place as one of the wealthiest sportsmen in the world at the moment.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo: $136 million

Portuguese soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo is presently a member of Juventus, one of the most prominent clubs in Italy. Prior to joining Juventus F.C., he played for Real Madrid F.C., where he won five LaLiga championships and four Champions League championships. Ronaldo is one of the most decorated players in history thanks to his five Ballon d'Or victories. With a total assets value of eight hundred million dollars USD as of the year 2023, he is one of the highest-paid sportsmen in the world today, earning about $60 million yearly from his different sponsorships.