Portuguese football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has once again been named the world’s highest-paid athlete, securing the top spot on Forbes’ latest earnings list for 2026.
The achievement marks the sixth time Ronaldo has topped the prestigious ranking and his fourth consecutive year at No. 1, further cementing his place among the most financially successful athletes in sports history.
According to Forbes, the 41-year-old earned an estimated $300 million from his football career and commercial ventures over the past year. His latest earnings figure matches the amount earned by boxing legend Floyd Mayweather in 2015, making it one of the highest totals ever recorded for an active athlete.
Ronaldo’s sixth appearance at the top places him level with NBA icon Michael Jordan in the all-time rankings of highest-paid athletes. Only golf great Tiger Woods, who led the list 11 times, has spent more years at No. 1.
The Forbes report highlights Ronaldo’s remarkable longevity in a sporting landscape increasingly dominated by younger stars. Despite being in his forties, he continues to outperform many of the world’s biggest names both on and off the field.
Boxing champion Canelo Álvarez ranked second with estimated earnings of $170 million, while Argentine football legend Lionel Messi placed third with $140 million.
Basketball stars LeBron James and Stephen Curry also featured prominently in the top ten, alongside baseball sensation Shohei Ohtani, golfer Jon Rahm, footballer Karim Benzema, NBA forward Kevin Durant and Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton.
Forbes 2026 Highest-Paid Athletes List
Cristiano Ronaldo (Football) – $300 million
Canelo Álvarez (Boxing) – $170 million
Lionel Messi (Football) – $140 million
LeBron James (Basketball) – $137.8 million
Shohei Ohtani (Baseball) – $127.6 million
Stephen Curry (Basketball) – $124.7 million
Jon Rahm (Golf) – $107 million
Karim Benzema (Football) – $104 million
Kevin Durant (Basketball) – $103.8 million
Lewis Hamilton (Formula One) – $100 million
