Ronaldo Leads, Messi Follows: Forbes Releases 2023 List of 10 Highest-Paid Athletes in the World

• Forbes has revealed the names of the highest-paid athletes in the world across various sports
• Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have once again shared a podium by becoming the top two highest-paid athletes
• The top 10 highest paid-athletes on the list represent four sports and five countries

Forbes, a renowned American business magazine, has released its annual ranking of the world’s highest-paid athletes.

The 2023 list features the salaries (before tax), bonuses, and athletes' endorsements for the 2022-23 season.

Forbes reports that the 10 athletes on the list have earned an estimated $1.11 billion before taxes and agent fees over the past year.

The figure marks an increase of $20 million and 12% from last year's earnings of $990 million and a 5% increase from the record-setting $1.06 billion earned in 2018.

Read also

Lagos, Kano lead as NIN registration hits 98.7 million in April 2023

Footballers and basketballers dominate list of richest athletes

The list comprises 10 athletes, with football and basketball players dominating the top spots. The top three athletes on the list are footballers.

Following his recent transfer to Saudi Arabia, Cristiano Ronaldo tops the list with total revenue of $136 million, thanks to a whopping $75 million salary.

His arch-rival, Lionel Messi, is second on the list, just $6 million behind Ronaldo, with total revenue of $130 million.

Kylian Mbappe, the French football star, completes the top three with a total of $120 million. Mbappe has the highest on-field income of $100 million in global football.

LeBron James, the basketball legend, is fourth on the list with total revenue of $119.5 million, followed by Mexican boxer Canelo Álvarez, who completes the top five with total revenue of $110 million.

Read also

Abdulsamad Rabiu’s wealth rises by N4bn daily in April, beats Aliko Dangote

Tennis legend Roger Federer, who retired from tennis in September 2022, ranked ninth on the list, earning $95.1 million from sponsorship activities.

Breakdown of athletes' earnings

In summary, the top 10 highest-paid athletes for the year 2023, according to Forbes, are:

1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Football - Portugal) - $136 million
2. Lionel Messi (Football - Argentina) - $130 million
3. Kylian Mbappe (Football - France) - $120 million
4. LeBron James (Basketball - United States) - $119.5 million
5. Canelo Alvarez (Boxing - Mexico) - $110 million
6. Dustin Johnson (Golf - United States) - $107 million
7. Phil Mickelson (Golf - United States) - $106 million
8. Stephen Curry (Basketball - United States) - $100.4 million
9. Roger Federer (Tennis - Switzerland) - $95.1 million
10. Kevin Durant (Basketball - United States) - $89.1 million

More money for Dangote

In another report, Legit.ng revealed that Africa's richest man was set to walk home with over N293 billion as dividends from his cement company, Dangote Cement.

Read also

Morocco leads, Nigeria ranks low on list of African countries with highest pay in 2023

Aliko Dangote's cement company recorded a revenue jump of 16.96% in 2022 to hit a high of over N1.61 trillion.

Dangote's dividend was more than the budget of 25 states for the fiscal year of 2023.

Source: Legit.ng