Forbes’ 2026 earnings ranking is led by soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo, with estimated earnings of $300 million. The accessible Forbes-based reporting verifies the top 10 athletes, but not ranks 11–20, so a complete top-20 list cannot be supported here. These figures measure estimated earnings—not net worth—during the 12 months from May 1, 2025, through May 1, 2026.
How Forbes measures athlete earnings
Forbes counts on-field earnings such as salary, bonuses and prize money, plus estimated off-field income from sponsorships, appearances, licensing, memorabilia and business returns. The estimates cover May 1, 2025, through May 1, 2026, and are before taxes and agent fees; they are not take-home pay, career earnings or net worth. Forbes’ accessible reporting says the top 10 earned an estimated $1.4 billion combined.
The 10 highest-paid athletes verified for 2026
The figures below are Forbes estimates in U.S. dollars for the stated 12-month period. Forbes’ accessible top-10 report provides the order and earnings splits.
| Rank | Athlete | Sport | Total earnings | On-field | Off-field |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Soccer | $300 million | $235 million | $65 million |
| 2 | Canelo Álvarez | Boxing | $170 million | $160 million | $10 million |
| 3 | Lionel Messi | Soccer | $140 million | $70 million | $70 million |
| 4 | LeBron James | Basketball | $137.8 million | $52.8 million | $85 million |
| 5 | Shohei Ohtani | Baseball | $127.6 million | $2.6 million | $125 million |
| 6 | Stephen Curry | Basketball | $124.7 million | $59.7 million | $65 million |
| 7 | Jon Rahm | Golf | $107 million | $97 million | $10 million |
| 8 | Karim Benzema | Soccer | $104 million | $100 million | $4 million |
| 9 | Kevin Durant | Basketball | $103.8 million | $54.8 million | $49 million |
| 10 | Lewis Hamilton | Auto racing | $100 million | $70 million | $30 million |
What stands out in the earnings mix
Ronaldo leads by a wide margin
Ronaldo’s estimated $300 million is the largest total in the accessible ranking. Forbes says it ties the highest nominal total it has recorded since beginning the ranking in 1990; the figure is not adjusted for inflation. Brett Knight of Forbes Staff described Ronaldo as leading the ranking for the fourth consecutive year and sixth time overall.
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Off-field income can outweigh competition pay
Ohtani’s estimated $127.6 million includes $125 million off-field and $2.6 million on-field. Forbes notes that deferred payments affect how his current Dodgers compensation is represented. LeBron James also has a larger off-field estimate ($85 million) than on-field estimate ($52.8 million). Across the list, the balance varies substantially, so total earnings should not be read as a comparison of salaries alone.
Every top-10 athlete reaches $100 million
Forbes reports that all 10 reached at least $100 million for a third consecutive year. The total also includes earnings from commercial and business activity, not just pay for competing.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why this is not a complete top-20 list
The accessible Forbes-based material establishes ranks 1–10. The official full-list page is not accessible in the available source material, and secondary coverage does not reliably establish every name and rank from 11 through 20. Those positions are therefore omitted rather than guessed. The reported $1.4 billion combined total applies to the top 10 only; it is not a top-20 total.
Quick Recap
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Sources
- Forbes Australia, Brett Knight, “Ranked: The World’s 10 Highest-Paid Athletes 2026” (May 23, 2026)
- Forbes, “World’s Highest-Paid Athletes: 2026 Forbes List” (May 22, 2026)
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