Cristiano Ronaldo leads Forbes 2025 list of highest-paid athletes

Cristiano Ronaldo is at it again—on and off the pitch. The Portuguese soccer icon has been named the No. 1 earner on Forbes’ list of highest-paid athletes in the world for 2025, bankrolling an eye-popping $275 million over the past year. That figure makes for the third-highest-earning annual amount of all time, for any active athlete, in Forbes’ history and underscores the unmatched commercial power of Ronaldo even at 40.Cristiano Ronaldo’s $275-million net worth is a combination of his on-the-pitch salary and off-pitch revenue through endorsements and a range of business interests. Ronaldo, who moved from his former club to the Italian club Juventus, to Saudi Pro League team Al Nassr, is now believed to have his “wages more than double” to a reported north of $200 million a year. But what really sets him apart is his off-field earnings, which are comprised of lucrative sponsorships from around the world, personal brands, and plenty of business interests, including CR7-branded hotels, fragrances and gyms.For context, the closest athlete on the list, basketball superstar LeBron James, earned $133.8 million this year, less than half of what Ronaldo banked. But despite growing his business interests with movies and buying a sports team, James’ earnings still fall way short of Ronaldo’s record-breaking jackpot.What is even more revealing is that he standard for entering the Forbes top 50 highest-paid athletes has never been shinier. In 2025, the bottom of the list was $53.6 million, a 19 percent increase from the $45.2 million posted in 2024. In 2017, that figure was $27.2 million. At the time, if an athlete’s performance today would’ve plopped them at No. 6 overall.Also Read: Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo—find out whose team is more valuable in 2025 club rankingsOne of the most eye-opening aspects of Cristiano Ronaldo’s continued financial sway is just his age and how long he has been unstoppable. Most athletes see their earnings potential wane with age, but Ronaldo seems to be the exception to the rule. His transfer to Saudi Arabia not only prolonged his career but also expanded his reach and exposed him to new markets and audiences, thereby increasing his commercial value.Cristiano Ronaldo's domination of Forbes' list for 2025 shows he is more than just a footballer; the five-time Ballon d'Or winner has become a commercial juggernaut whose brand and reach are only expanding into his twilight years.This longevity of dominance is proof of Ronaldo’s genius brand building off the pitch. By launching his own CR7 clothing, fragrance, and fitness line, as well as working with mega brands such as Nike and Binance, Ronaldo has developed a diversified empire that doesn't rely solely on his on-field success. His enormous social media reach means anything he becomes affiliated with gets unprecedented global exposure, further securing his marketability even though he has outlasted the typical career trajectory of an ageing athlete.