Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi ranks among the highest paid athletes of all-time but the two football stars do not come close to a legendary figure who retired over 20 years ago.
Football stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi rank among athletes who have earned big money throughout the course of their careers but they still do not match some legendary figures.
Ronaldo and Messi rank among the 10 highest paid athletes of all-time and they are still active, which gives them a chance to earn even much more before they retire.
However, the two are dwarfed by some big names who retired long time ago but have, and are still, raking in big money, making them among the highest paid athletes of all-time as compiled by Spotico.
10 Highest paid athletes of all-time: Cristiano Ronaldo floors Lionel Messi but who ranks top?
10. Floyd Mayweather
Floyd Mayweather is the 10th highest paid athlete of all-time. || Business Insider
Boxing great Floyd Mayweather is the 10th highest paid athlete of all-time after bringing in an inflation-adjusted $1.48 billion, which reduces to a non-inflation adjusted $1.14 billion, during his career that started in 1996 and ended in 2017.
Mayweather, who was undefeated during his career, winning all his 50 bouts, including 27 via knockout, made most of his fortune from his lucrative fights that saw him make as much as $200 million from one bout, while he also made more from brand endorsements.
9. Roger Federer
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Roger Federer is among the highest paid athletes of all-time. (Credit: Imago)
Roger Federer is perhaps the man who really put tennis on the global map even if there were other greats before him.
The Swiss legend won 20 Grand Slams and was ranked world No. 1 for 310 weeks, including a record 237 consecutive weeks, raking in an inflation-adjusted $1.49 billion, which reduces to a non-inflation adjusted $890 million, from prize money and endorsements since turning pro in 1998 to when he retired in 2022.
8. David Beckham
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Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham is still earning milllions. | Imago
England legend David Beckham retired in 2013 but that has not stopped him from earning millions. If anything, the former Manchester United, Real Madrid and LA Galaxy star is still earning much more than many active athletes.
Beckham has lucrative endorsement deals and also co-owns MLS franchise Inter Miami and since turning pro in 1992, he has earned an inflation-adjusted $1.5 billion, which reduces to a non-inflation adjusted $1.13 billion.
7. Lionel Messi
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Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi has raked in big money. (Credit: Imago)
Debate has never ended on who between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo is the GOAT, even though the Argentine wizard won the World Cup in 2022.
Lionel Messi has wowed fans with his football skills since turning pro in 2004, spending the best years of his career at Barcelona, where he won 10 league titles and four Champions Leagues.
With a record eight Ballon d’Or Awards, Messi is considered by many the greatest footballer alive, and he has made so much money in the course of his career, taking in inflation-adjusted earnings of $1.67 billion, which reduces to a non-inflation adjusted figure of $1.36 billion.
Messi is still active with MLS side Inter Miami, party owned by David Beckham, who he joined after two years at Paris Saint Germain, and his current deal in America is believed to be worth $2 billion when everything is factored in.
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6. Jack Nicklaus
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Jack Nicklaus is still earning big. Photo/Imago
Golf legend Jack Nicklaus also makes the list, having retired in 2005 after turning pro in 1961.
Now 85, the Columbus, Ohio native won 117 professional tournaments to earn the name “the Golden Bear” and also made so much money while at it.
To date, Jack Nicklaus has brought in inflation-adjusted earnings of $1.67 billion which reduces to a non-inflation adjusted figure of $890 million.
5. LeBron James
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LeBron James playing for Team USA. Credit: X
Basketball legend LeBron James is still going strong at 40 and since turning pro in 2003, remains the highest earning active basketball player.
The four-time NBA winner is one of the greatest to ever play the game and throughout his career, he has taken home inflation-adjusted earnings of $1.7 billion which reduces to a non-inflation adjusted figure of $1.36 billion.
With an annual salary of nearly $50 million and endorsements of $85 million in 2024 alone, LeBron James continues to rake in big money.
4. Arnold Palmer
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Golf great Arnold Palmer raked in the millions before and afyer his death. Photo/Imago
Another golf legend on the list, the late Arnold Palmer, who died in 2016, has taken in inflation-adjusted earnings of $1.76 billion which reduces to a non-inflation adjusted figure of $885 million since turning pro in 1954. His earnings came from golf earnings, endorsement deals and investments.
3. Cristiano Ronaldo
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Cristiano Ronaldo is the third highest paid athlete of all-time. | Credit: Instagram
Football GOAT Cristiano Ronaldo ranks very high on the list of the 10 highest paid athletes of all-time thanks to his salaries, endorsement deals and businesses.
The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus forward has taken in inflation-adjusted earnings of $1.92 billion, which reduces to a non-inflation adjusted figure of $1.57 billion, since turning pro in 2002.
Now playing in Saudi Arabia with Al Nassr, Ronaldo has seen his earnings skyrocket in the last two years since signing an eye-watering $215 million per season contract with the Saudi Pro League club in December 2022.
That huge salary, added to his massive endorsements and businesses, makes the five-time Ballon d’Or winner the third highest paid athlete of all-time.
2. Tiger Woods
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Golf legend Tiger Woods. Photo/Imago
Gold legend Tiger Woods might have been struggling in recent years with off-field issues like his highly publicized sex scandal, car accident, driving under the influence and back surgeries but when it comes to making money, only one man beats him.
Woods, who turned pro in 1996, has raked in inflation-adjusted earnings of $2.66 billion, which reduces to a non-inflation adjusted figure of $1.85 billion, throughout the course of his career.
Like many on this list, Tiger Woods is considered the greatest golfer of all time, having claimed 82 PGA Tour wins, including 15 Majors, among them five Masters titles.
Woods’ money has come from lucrative prize money in golf as well as major endorsements.
1. Michael Jordan
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NBA Legend Michael Jordan | Credit: X
Despite retiring in 2003, NBA legend Michael Jordan is the highest paid athlete of all-time, thanks to his earnings in basketball, endorsements and other investments.
Since turning pro in 1984, Michael Jordan has taken home inflation-adjusted earnings of $3.75 billion which reduces to a non-inflation adjusted figure of $2.7 billion.
The six-time NBA winner, considered the greatest basketballer of all time made his money from his playing days, endorsements, investments like the Jordan sneakers, as well as the sale of NBA franchise Charlotte Hornets in August 2023 for $3 billion which made him a profit of $2.25 billion.
