It's been published the ranking of the 50 highest paid athletes in the world drawn up by the magazine Forbes for 2024. This year, the highest paid athlete in the world is… Cristiano Ronaldo. If the stars of the NBA, the American basketball championship, are the most represented in this ranking with 19 athletes, the NFL, the American football championship, is also well positioned with 11 athletes. Football follows with 8 representatives.
Like every year, the wage gap between men's and women's sports is so abysmal that it is impossible to find a champion in the Top 10. Or even in the Top 50. No sportswoman can match the level of Serena Williams the only woman in the rankings in 2023. Although the contract of Caitlin Clark with Nike caused a sensation, the salary of the new phenomenon of women's basketball, who plays for the Indiana Fever, is around 77,000 dollars a month. For comparison, her male counterpart Victor Wembanyama he received a base salary of $12.2 million when he joined the San Antonio Spurs in his first year. In short, the road is still long. Who will win the prize this year?
10 – Lamar Jackson, American football: 100.5 million dollars
The 27-year-old quarterback's place in the Top 10 is due to the substantial $72.5 million bonus he received last year from the Baltimore Ravens. As well as contracts with eyewear company Oakley and sports data and gaming company StatusProalso owns a soul food restaurant, a production company, a record label and a clothing line, It was 8.
9 – Stephen Curry, basketball: $102 million
The 36-year-old basketball player will be part of the USA Dream Team at the Olympic Games this summer. NBA star, the point guard of the Golden State Warriors of San Francisco has signed a contract with the sportswear brand Under Armour worth a whopping $75 million and will soon embark on an acting career. Not only does Curry score three points, but he also knows how to count.
8 – Karim Benzema, football: 106 million dollars
The former Real Madrid center forward owes his place in this ranking to the multi-figure contract he signed with the Saudi club Al Ittihad. At 36 and having won many trophies in France and Spain, her golden early retirement in the Gulf was a financial opportunity she couldn't refuse.
7 – Neymar, football: 108 million dollars
Footballers nearing the end of their careers can certainly thank Saudi Arabia, which last year took out its checkbook to purchase some not-quite-extinguished stars. After signing with Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League for an estimated fee of nearly $100 million, the Brazilian superstar followed up with a partnership for Skims underwear designed by Kim Kardashian. She also launched a new football boot in collaboration with Puma and teamed up with Fun Brands to develop her cocktail line. And what about football?
6 – Kylian Mbappé, football: 110 million dollars
The 25-year-old French football star could join Real Madrid next season, has created a production company in 2022 in collaboration with the NBA and has signed deals with brands such as Nike, Hublot and Oakley.
5 – Giannis Antetokounmpo, basketball: $111 million
As effective on the court as he is in business, the Greek-Nigerian Milwaukee Bucks star recently launched a production company, partnered with Pepsi's Starry soft drink and will launch his own signature shoe with Nike by 2024.
4 – LeBron James, basketball: $128.2 million
The four-time NBA MVP has a $51.4 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers and is expected to participate in the Olympic Games with Dream Team USA this summer, alongside Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry and Joel Embiid. It recently partnered with DraftKings, a sports app, and invested in PGA Tour Enterprises, the company that organizes professional golf tournaments.
3 – Lionel Messi, football: 135 million dollars
Unlike his work colleagues, Lionel Messi did not choose Saudi Arabia to sunbathe, but Major League Soccer and Inter Miami. Since his arrival, the Argentine world champion has brought the club new sponsors, increased ticket sales and led it to become the second most valuable franchise in the League, with a value of $1.03 billion. He continues his fruitful collaboration with Apple and Adidas in particular.
2 – Jon Rahm, golf: $218 million
The 30-year-old Spaniard moved straight to second place in the rankings after joining LIV Golf, the PGA Tour's rival league, in December. He is also one of 22 champions under 30 years old in this ranking. He has already earned $6.6 million in seven tournaments in 2024.
1 – Cristiano Ronaldo, football: 260 million dollars
The others behind and him far ahead. For the fourth time, Cristiano Ronaldo is at the top of the list of the highest paid athletes of the year. His contract with Saudi soccer club Al Nassr earned him $200 million this season alone. He also earned around $60 million from endorsement deals with Nike and Herbalife.
Source: Vanity Fair
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