1. Cristiano Ronaldo: $136 million
The GOAT Cristiano Ronaldo ranks as the world’s highest paid athlete with an annual income at a whopping $136 million..
2. Lionel Messi: $130 million
The another GOAT is doing just fine, earning $65 million both on and off the field.The Argentinian soccer star also started an investment firm, Play Time, this past year.
3. Kylian Mbappé: $120 million
Being a soccer superstar surely does pay as our third highest paid athlete is Messi’s Paris-Germain teammate, Kylian Mbappé. On the field alone, he makes $100 million on his current salary at just 24 years old, making him the highest paid soccer player from the game alone
4. LeBron James: $119.5 million
The basketball legend became the first active athlete to become a billionaire this past June—owing largely to his intelligent business moves. The Lakers player makes just under $45 million on the court, while most of his millions are made in boardrooms.
5. Canelo Álvarez: $110 million
Unlike most of his fellow listmates, Canelo Álvarez is making the bulk of his salary directly from his athletic performance, making $100 million annually from boxing alone.