10 World’s Highest Paid-Athletes in 2022-According to data from Forbes magazine in 2022, there are 10 World’s Highest Paid-Athletes in 2022.. These athletes are certainly famous athletes who are popular in the world and have various achievements extraordinary and thus earned extraordinary financial recognition. Here is the ranking of the 10 World’s Highest Paid-Athletes in 2022.
Rank of 10 World’s Highest Paid-Athletes in 2022
Rank | Name of Athletes | Earning from Field (On-field) | Earning Outside Field (Off-Field) | Total Earning |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Lionel Messi | 75 million US Dollar | 55 million US Dollar | 130 million US Dollar |
2 | LeBron James | 41.2 million US Dollar | 80 million US Dollar | 121.2 million US Dollar |
3 | Cristiano Ronaldo | 60 million US Dollar | 55 million US Dollar | 115 million US Dollar |
4 | Neymar | 70 million US Dollar | 25 million US Dollar | 95 million US Dollar |
5 | Stephen Curry | 45.8 million US Dollar | 47 million US Dollar | 92.8 million US Dollar |
6 | Kevin Durrant | 42.1 million US Dollar | 50 million US Dollar | 92.1 million US Dollar |
7 | Roger Federer | 0.70 million US Dollar | 90 million US Dollar | 90.7 million US Dollar |
8 | Canelo Alvarez | 85 million US Dollar | 5 million US Dollar | 90 million US Dollar |
9 | Tom Brady | 31.9 million US Dollar | 52 million US Dollar | 83.9 million US Dollar |
10 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | 39.9 million US Dollar | 41 million US Dollar | 80.9 million US Dollar |
Source: Forbes. 2022 |
The data consists of earning from the field (on-field) and from outside the arena (off-field). Income from the arena (on the field) is income earned from the club or its activities from the world of sports. It is basically in the form of salaries, bonuses, or contracts with their respective clubs. Meanwhile, income from outside the arena (off-field) is the result of athletes getting from advertising stars for a product, endorsements, business collaborations, etc.
An Overview of 10 World’s Highest Paid-Athletes in 2022


1.Lionel Messi
Lionel Andrés Messi or commonly known as Lionel Messi is a prominent football player who was born in Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina on June 24, 1987. Born with limitations (growth hormone disorders), Lionel Messi grew into a great football player with 7 best player titles FIFA or FIFA Ballon d’Or in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021. Together with his former club Barcelona, he won many titles including 10 La Liga titles (2004–05, 2005–06, 2008–09 , 2009–10, 2010–11, 2012–13, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2017–18, 2018–19), 4 UEFA Champions League titles (2005–06, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2014– 15), and various other titles.


Lionel Messi is World’s Highest Paid-Athletes in 2022. According to data from Forbes Magazine in 2022, Messi’s income from the football world arena reaches 75 million US dollars, while income from outside the sports arena including endorsements, advertising stars for various products reaches 55 million US dollars. so that in total, the overall income reached 130 Million US Dollars.
2.LeBron James
LeBron Raymone James Sr. or commonly known as LeBron James is a prominent basketball athlete who was born in Akron, Ohio, United States on December 30, 1984. Based on his history during his time in the NBA, LeBron has played for 3 different clubs namely the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and Los Angeles Lakers. During his time playing in the NBA, he has won 4 NBA titles (2012, 2013, 2016, 2020) in every club he has played for. as well as several individual titles such as 4 times NBA Finals MVP (2012, 2013, 2016, 2020) and 4 times NBA Most Valuable Player (2009, 2010, 2012, 2013).


LeBron James is an Athlete from the United States and became the highest-paid basketball athlete in the world in 2022. Based on data from Forbes Magazine in 2022, LeBron’s income from the basketball arena (on-field) reached 41.2 Million US Dollars while other off-field income which includes advertising/endorsing certain products reaches 80 million US Dollars. Cumulatively, LeBron’s total revenue in 2022 will reach 121.2 million US dollars.
3.Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro or commonly known as Cristiano Ronaldo is a famous football player born in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal on February 5, 1985. During his career in football, he has won 5 FIFA Ballon d’Or/Ballon d’Or titles ( 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017) and 5 Champions League titles (2007–08,2013–14, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18). He currently plays for Manchester United and has previously played for Real Madrid, Juventus and Sporting Lisbon.


Cristiano Ronaldo is the third sportsman after Lebron James and Lionel Messi with World’s Highest Paid-Athletes in 2022. In detail, in 2022, Cristiano Ronaldo’s income from the football arena reached 60 million US dollars while his income outside the football reached 55 million US dollars. Accumulatively, Cristiano Ronaldo’s earnings in 2022 reached 115 million US dollars.
4.Neymar
Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior or commonly known as Neymar is a footballer a professional and famous soccer player from Brazil who was born in Mogi das Cruzes, Brazil on February 5, 1992. During his time in the world of football, he has played for several clubs such as Santos, Barcelona, and Paris Saint-Germain. Some of his achievements include the 2011 Copa Libertadores title with Santos, 2 Spanish La Liga titles (2014–15, 2015–16) and the UEFA Champions League (2014–15) with Barcelona and 4 Ligue 1 titles: 2017– 18,2018–19,2019–20, 2021–22 with Paris Saint-Germain.


Neymar is an Athlete from the world of football with the next highest income in 2022. In detail in 2022, Neymar’s income from the world of football reached 70 million US dollars while income from outside the football world reached 25 million US dollars. Neymar’s total earnings reached 95 million US dollars.
5. Stephen Curry
Wardell Stephen Curry II or commonly known as Steph Curry is a famous basketball player born in Akron, Ohio on March 14, 1988. Stephen Curry is famous for his skill in 3-point shooting (downtown shooting) and is considered one of the greatest shooters in the NBA. Until now, he still plays for the Golden State Warriors and led the club to become the NBA champion 3 times namely 2015, 2017, and 2018. Individually, he was selected as NBA Most Valuable Player 2 times, 2015 and 2016.


Stephen Curry is a sports athlete from the world of Basketball who has the largest income. Stephen Curry’s income from the world basketball arena reached 45.8 million US dollars. Furthermore, his income from outside the basketball arena reached 47 million US dollars. Cumulatively, Stephen Curry’s income reached 92.8 million US dollars.
6. Kevin Durant
Kevin Wayne Durant or commonly known as Kevin Durant is a basketball player that played for Brooklyn Nets. Historically, he was born in Washington, D.C. on September 29, 1988. During his career in the NBA, he has won 2 NBA titles which he won in 2017 and 2018. The title was won when he played for the Golden State Warriors. Overall, he has played for several NBA clubs such as the Seattle Supersonics, Oklahoma City Thunder, Golden State Warriors. Now, he is playing for the Brooklyn Nets.


Kevin Durant is the next athlete from the world of Basketball who has the highest income in the world. In 2022, Kevin Durant’s income from the basketball arena will reach 42.1 million US dollars. Furthermore, his outside basketball income reaches 50 million US dollars. Cumulatively, Kevin Durant’s earnings from the basketball world reached 92.1 million US dollars.
7. Roger Federer
Roger Federer is a leading tennis athlete from Switzerland who was born in Valbella, Switzerland on August 8, 1981. During his career in tennis, he has won many Grand Slam titles, namely the Australian Open 6 times (2004, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2017 and 2018), French Open 1 time (2009), Wimbledon 8 times (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012, 2017), and US Open 5 times (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 , 2008).


Roger Federer is the next highest-paid athlete from the world of Tennis in the world. By 2022, Roger Federer’s earnings from the tennis arena reached 0.70 million US dollars. Menawhile, Roger Federer’s off-field income reached 90 million US dollars. Overall, Roger Federer’s total earnings reached 90.7 million US dollars.
8. Canelo Alvarez
Santos Saúl Alvarez Barragán or commonly known as Canelo Alvarez is a boxing athlete. Historically, he born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico on July 18, 1990. He is the first boxer in history to become the undisputed champion in the super middleweight after holding the belt. WBA (Super), WBC and since 2020 titles, and IBF and WBO titles since 2021.


Canelo Alvarez is the next highest-paid Athlete in the world. This on-field boxer’s income reaches 85 million US dollars. Meanwhile, his income from outside the arena reaches 5 million US dollars. In total, Canelo Alvarez’s income reached 90 million US dollars.
9. Tom Brady
Thomas Edward Patrick Brady Jr. is an American football player. Historically, he was born in San Mateo, California on August 3, 1977. During his career, he has won 7 Super Bowl champion titles (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX, XLIX, LI, LIII, LV) and 5 Super Bowl MVP titles ( XXXVI, XXXVIII, XLIX, LI, LV).


Tom Brady is the only American Football athlete to be ranked in the top 10 highest-paid athletes. In real terms, Tom Brady’s earnings from the American Football arena reached US$31.9 million. Meanwhile, his income from outside the arena reached US$52 million. In total, Tom Brady’s earnings in 2022 will reach 83.9 million US dollars.
10. Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis Sina Ugo Antetokounmpo or commonly known as Giannis Antetokounmpo is a prominent NBA player. Historically, he was born in Athens, Greece on December 6, 1994. To date, he still plays for the Milwaukee Bucks and helped the team to the NBA title in 2021. Individually, he has won NBA Most Valuable Player titles in 2019 and 2020.


Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the highest-paid basketball athletes in the world. By 2022, Gianis’ earnings from the Basketball arena reached 39.9 million US dollars. Meanwhile, his income from outside basketball reached 41 million US dollars. Cumulatively, Giannis’ earnings from the Arena and outside the arena reached 80.9 million US Dollars.
Bibliography of 10 World’s Highest Paid-Athletes in 2022
Forbes. 2022. The World’s 10 Highest-Paid Athletes 2022. Accessed via https://www.forbes.com/sites/brettknight/2022/05/11/the-worlds-10-highest-paid-athletes-2022/ on May 13th, 2022