For the third-year running, Ronaldo is the highest paid athlete in the world. The Real Madrid legend earned $275 million, over $100 million more than second-place Stephen Curry made in 2025. Ronaldo's on-field earnings amounted to $225 million while his off-field earnings amounted to $50 million, per Forbes.

Ronaldo has retained this spot and beat out athletes from all over the world, including Stephen Curry, the highest-paid NBA athlete, who made $156 million. Another interesting fac

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni made his top 3 best soccer players in the world, and neither legends Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo made the cut. For nearly two decades, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have dominated the debate over who is the best soccer player in the world.