Lionel Messi heads a group that made more than $990 million in a single year, and the threshold for admittance is higher than ever, know the world highest paid athletes 2022 list
Lionel Messi was just 17 when he started playing for FC Barcelona’s first team, so it was a surprise when, after 17 seasons, he left the only professional home he had ever known to join Paris Saint-Germain. This season, though, represented a return to familiar ground for the 34-year-old soccer legend.
World Top 10 Highest Paid Athletes 2022 Forbes Full List
Messi leads Forbes’ annual list of the world’s highest-paid sportsmen for the second time, with $130 million in pre-tax gross earnings over the past 12 months (the other was in 2019). Despite the fact that Forbes believes Messi’s income has dropped by $22 million from his final year with Barcelona to $75 million this season at PSG.
A significant increase in endorsements helps him match the record 12-month total for a soccer player set last year when he finished second behind MMA fighter Conor McGregor.
Details About The Players:
Messi’s archrival, Cristiano Ronaldo, who moved from Juventus to Manchester United in August, is ranked third this year with $115 million. LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers is sandwiched between the two, with $121.2 million, breaking his previous record of $96.5 million for an NBA player established last year.
James is just the sixth athlete in history to earn more than $100 million in a single year, a feat Messi and Ronaldo have already accomplished five times apiece.
1. $130 MILLION
LIONEL MESSI
On-Field: $75 Million | Off-Field: $55 Million
2. $121.2 MILLION
LEBRON JAMES
On-Field: $41.2 Million | Off-Field: $80 Million
3. $115 MILLION
CRISTIANO RONALDO
On-Field: $60 Million | Off-Field: $55 Million
4. $95 MILLION
NEYMAR
On-Field: $70 Million | Off-Field: $25 Million
5. $92.8 MILLION
STEPHEN CURRY
On-Field: $45.8 Million | Off-Field: $47 Million
6. $92.1 MILLION
KEVIN DURANT
On-Field: $42.1 Million | Off-Field: $50 Million
7. $90.7 MILLION
ROGER FEDERER
On-Field: $0.7 Million | Off-Field: $90 Million
8. $90 MILLION
CANELO ALVAREZ
On-Field: $85 Million | Off-Field: $5 Million
9. $83.9 MILLION
TOM BRADY
On-Field: $31.9 Million | Off-Field: $52 Million
10. $80.9 MILLION
GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO
On-Field: $39.9 Million | Off-Field: $41 Million
Based on interviews with industry insiders, off-field earnings statistics include an estimate of sponsorship deals, appearance fees, memorabilia, and licensing income for the 12 months leading up to May 1, 2022, plus cash returns from any companies managed by the player. Forbes does not include investment income such as interest or dividends but does include distributions from stock holdings sold by athletes.
Forbes does not account for taxes or agency commissions. Athletes who were active at any point throughout the 12-month period are included on the list.