Forbes 2026 Ranking of the World’s Highest-Paid Athletes
Forbes has released its 2026 list of the world’s top-earning athletes, with Cristiano Ronaldo claiming the No. 1 spot after pulling in a record-breaking $300 million. This figure marks the highest income ever recorded in the history of the Forbes ranking. Coming in second is boxer Saúl Álvarez with $170 million, while soccer star Lionel Messi takes third place with $140 million in earnings.
Now 41 years old, Ronaldo has been playing for Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr since December 2022. Over the course of his career, he has won the UEFA Champions League five times, the European Championship, and the UEFA Nations League twice. He also holds the record as the all-time top scorer for national teams, the European Championship, the Champions League, and the FIFA Club World Cup. Before joining Al-Nassr, Ronaldo played for Sporting, Manchester United, Juventus, and Real Madrid.
Top 10 Highest-Paid Athletes
Forbes’ top 10 highest-paid athletes for 2026 are as follows:
- Cristiano Ronaldo (soccer) – $300 million ($235 million on-field + $65 million off-field);
- Saúl Álvarez (boxing) – $170 million ($60 million on-field + $10 million off-field);
- Lionel Messi (soccer) – $140 million ($70 million on-field + $70 million off-field);
- LeBron James (basketball) – $137.8 million ($52.8 million on-field + $85 million off-field);
- Shohei Ohtani (baseball) – $127.6 million ($2.6 million on-field + $125 million off-field);
- Stephen Curry (basketball) – $124.7 million ($59.7 million on-field + $65 million off-field);
- Jon Rahm (golf) – $107 million ($97 million on-field + $10 million off-field);
- Karim Benzema (soccer) – $104 million ($100 million on-field + $4 million off-field);
- Kevin Durant (basketball) – $103.8 million ($54.8 million on-field + $49 million off-field);
- Lewis Hamilton (motorsport) – $100 million ($70 million on-field + $30 million off-field).
In the context of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Ukraine’s national team lost to Sweden 3–1 in the playoff semifinals as part of Path B. Goals were scored by Ponomarenko (90+1) for Ukraine and by Gyökeres (6, 51, 72) for Sweden.
The World Cup group stage lineup is as follows:
- Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Czech Republic.
- Group B: Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland.
- Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland.
- Group D: United States, Paraguay, Australia, Turkey.
- Group E: Germany, Curaçao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador.
- Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia.
- Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand.
- Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay.
- Group I: France, Senegal, Iraq, Norway.
- Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan.
- Group K: Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia.
- Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama.
The top two teams from each group, along with the eight best third-place finishers, will advance to the Round of 16.
The Forbes ranking not only highlights the financial success of individual athletes but also reflects a shift in sports careers, with stars like Ronaldo moving to leagues that offer massive contracts, such as those in Saudi Arabia. This points to the globalization of sports and growing international competition for talent. Meanwhile, the World Cup qualifiers underscore the challenges teams face in securing a spot at such a prestigious tournament. Ukraine’s loss to Sweden highlights the intense level of competition in European football.
As Ronaldo continues to redefine success on and off the pitch, the landscape of European football is also evolving. Several prominent clubs may face challenges in qualifying for prestigious tournaments, which could impact their financial standings. To explore which major teams are at risk of missing the Champions League, read more about the European football giants facing this dilemma.