The highest paid Spanish athlete in the world, ahead of Messi, according to Forbes

Forbes magazine has revealed the highest paid athletes in the world. These stars not only earn millions thanks to their sport, they also combine other businesses and sponsorships to increase their income even more and continue to earn after they finish their elite careers in sports.

The highest paid athlete in the world continues to be Cristiano Ronaldo, with a total income of 260 million dollars. The Portuguese footballer left Europe to continue his career at Al Nassr, in Saudi Arabia, with a million dollar contract that put him back at the top of the list. In addition, it has businesses of all kinds, such as a hotel chain, a hair implant clinic, gyms, underwear or perfumes.

The big surprise in the list presented by the financial magazine is in the second position, conquered by a Spanish athlete.

This is the golf star, Jon Rahm, that after the decision to play at LIV Golf – a circuit financed by the sovereign fund of Saudi Arabia – sHis earnings rose to 198 million dollars, with another 20 million he earned outside of sports.

Rahm surpasses Lionel Messi, which remains in third position. Other names from the sports elite appear in top positions on the Forbes list, such as Lebron James, Giannis Anteokumpo, Kylian Mbappé or Neymar.

Highest paid athletes in the world in 2024

1. Cristiano Ronaldo
2. Jon Rahm
3. Lionel Messi
4. LeBron James
5. Giannis Antetokounmpo
6. Kylian Mbappé
7. Neymar
8. Karim Benzema
9. Stephen Curry
10. Lamar Jackson
11. Joe Burrow
12. Kevin Durant
13. Shohei Ohtani
14. Canelo Alvarez
15. Patrick Mahomes
16. Anthony Joshua
17. Max Verstappen
18. Aaron Rodgers
19. Rory McIlroy
20. Justin Herbert
21. Lewis Hamilton
22. Nick Bosa
23. Tiger Woods
24. Kirk Cousins
25. Clay Thompson