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.

Cristiano Ronaldo topped Forbes’ 2025 list of the world’s highest paid athletes, ahead of Stephen Curry and Tyson Fury.

Forbes just released its list of the world's highest paid athletes of 2025 and for the third consecutive year Cristiano Ronaldo comes out on top at a staggering $275 million. Ronaldo is 40; Curry is 37;