Sport is turning out to be one of the most lucrative professions worldwide. Year after year we see record-breaking earnings as athletes across various disciplines reach new financial heights. Here’s a sneak peek into the top 10 highest paid athletes in 2024.
Top 10 Highest-Paid Athletes in 2024
Here’s a breakdown of the top 10 highest-paid athletes in 2024, including their total earnings, on-field earnings, and off-field earnings
| Athlete | Sport | Total Earnings in INR | On-Field Earnings (INR) | Off-Field Earnings (INR) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Soccer | ₹2081 Crore | ₹16,00,00,000 | ₹4,81,00,000 |
| 2 | Jon Rahm | Golf | ₹1712 Crore | ₹15,84,00,000 | ₹1,60,00,000 |
| 3 | Lionel Messi | Soccer | ₹1074 Crore | ₹4,60,00,000 | ₹5,60,00,000 |
| 4 | LeBron James | Basketball | ₹990 Crore | ₹3,86,00,000 | ₹6,40,00,000 |
| 5 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | Basketball | ₹873 Crore | ₹3,68,00,000 | ₹4,60,00,000 |
| 6 | Kylian Mbappé | Soccer | ₹881 Crore | ₹7,20,00,000 | ₹1,60,00,000 |
| 7 | Neymar | Soccer | ₹864 Crore | ₹5,60,00,000 | ₹2,20,00,000 |
| 8 | Karim Benzema | Soccer | ₹864 Crore | ₹7,20,00,000 | ₹40,00,000 |
| 9 | Stephen Curry | Basketball | ₹797 Crore | ₹3,86,00,000 | ₹3,60,00,000 |
| 10 | Lamar Jackson | American Football | ₹790 Crore | ₹7,88,00,000 | ₹1,60,00,000 |
The above figures are approximate conversions from USD to INR
- Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo continues to be at the top of the highest-paid athletes list in 2024. The Portuguese footballer has a total earning of approximately ₹2081 crore INR. CR7’s on-field earnings from his contract with Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia amounts to ₹16 billion. Off the field, the Sports Legend Ronaldo earns an additional ₹4.81 billion from brand endorsements and personal ventures.
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- Jon Rahm
Spanish golfer Jon Rahm has exponentially increased his earnings to catapult to #2 on this list this year. The total earnings of the golfer stand at ₹1712 Crore. His on-field earnings stand at ₹15.84 billion, primarily from his performance in the LIV Golf Tour. Other off-field activities and endorsements contribute ₹1.6 billion to his income.
- Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi is arguably the most popular footballer of all time. The Argentine ranks third in the list with total earnings of ₹1074 crore INR. For his contract with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, Messi earns ₹4.6 billion. From endorsement deals with brands like Adidas and Apple, the football wizard adds another ₹5.6 billion to his income.
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- LeBron James
NBA superstar LeBron James stands fourth in this list of highest paid athletes worldwide. The basketball star earns ₹990 Crore with his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers contributing ₹3.86 billion. James’ business ventures and endorsements add another ₹6.4 billion to his total income.
- Giannis Antetokounmpo
Greek basketball player Giannis Antetokounmpo is fifth on the list with total earnings of ₹873 Crore. His on-field contract with the Milwaukee Bucks gives him ₹3.68 billion while brand endorsements like Nike and WhatsApp add another ₹4.6 billion to his total income and earnings.
- Kylian Mbappé
The FIFA World Cup-winning French superstar Kylian Mbappé ranks sixth in this tally. The striker has total earnings of around ₹881 crore in which his on-field earnings from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) contribute ₹7.2 billion. From the brand endorsements and off-field activities, Mbappé makes another ₹1.6 billion to add to his income.
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- Neymar Jr
The Brazilian football sensation, Neymar Jr ranks seventh with total earnings of ₹864 crore. PSG contract gives Neymar ₹5.6 billion while endorsements add another ₹2.2 billion to Nemar Jr’s income and earnings.
- Karim Benzema
French footballer and forward Karim Benzema is in the eighth position in this list with a total earnings of ₹864 crore. From Saudi Pro League stint at Al-Ittihad fetches Benzema ₹7.2 billion while brand endorsements contribute ₹400 million.
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- Stephen Curry
NBA star Stephen Curry stands ninth with total earnings of ₹797 crore wherein his contract with the Golden State Warriors gives him ₹386 billion. The lucrative endorsement deals add ₹360 million to Stephen Curry’s income and earnings.
- Lamar Jackson
Lamar Jackson is one of the highest paid American Football players. The star quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens has a total income and earnings of ₹790 Crore. His Baltimore Ravens’ contract earns him ₹7.88 billion while endorsement deals get him an additional ₹160 million.
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