Leo Messi has once again become the highest paid athlete in the world, with income reaching 130 million dollars. It is the second time that the Argentine soccer player of Paris Saint Germain has achieved this award, after the one in 2019 when he came to enter 127 million dollars, both on and off the track (advertising).
In the list of the ten highest paid athletes in the world, as published every year by Forbes magazine, you can find three soccer players (Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar), four NBA players (LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo), a tennis player (Roger Federer), a boxer (Canelo Álvarez) and a football player (Tom Brady).
Leo Messi, at 34 years old, has earned 130 million dollars gross, of which 75 are for his sporting merits. According to Forbes, the Argentine star’s salary has dropped by around 22 million dollars since his last contract with FC Barcelona. Instead, the big difference lies in Messi’s income off the pitch, which has gone from 33 to 55 million.
That boost in advertising or marketing revenue comes from a three-year deal Messi signed in March with Socios, a “fan engagement” app based on blockchain technology. This has given the footballer an income of 20 million dollars. The rest comes from its agreements with companies such as Adidas, Pepsi, Lays, Ooredoo, Gatorade, Jacob & Co. or Budweiser.
In second position is LeBron James. At 37 years old, the Los Angeles Lakers basketball player has achieved an income of 121.2 million dollars. In 2017 he also reached second place, although with much less earnings ($86.2 million). The American athlete has won 41.2 million on the court, while off it he has reached 80 million.
Some ‘crypto’ exchange platforms inflate the earnings of some athletes
In January of this year, LeBron James signed a multi-year contract with the cryptocurrency exchange Crypto.com, the main sponsor of the Los Angeles team, although the amounts are unknown at the moment. “Blockchain technology is revolutionizing our economy, sports and entertainment, the art world and the way we engage with each other. I want to make sure communities like the one I come from aren’t left behind,” James said.
The third athlete with the highest income has been Cristiano Ronaldo. Also 37 years old, the Portuguese star has earned $115 million. Due to his contract as a footballer, the Manchester United footballer has achieved 60 million dollars gross, while he has reached 55 million due to his commercial agreements. Cristiano Ronaldo was the highest paid athlete during the years 2016 and 2017.
The third and last player on the list is Neymar. The Brazilian from PSG, who is in fourth place, has earned 95 million dollars, of which 70 are for his participation with PSG, and the other 25 derived from advertising. The fifth is Stephen Curry, an NBA player. The American base took 92.8 million dollars; 45.8 of his contract with the Golden State Warriors and 47 per, among which stand out his agreement as an ambassador with him.
Durant to Antetokounmpo
NBA player Kevin Durant ranks sixth among the highest-paid athletes. The forward of the Nets has entered 92.1 million dollars. He has one of the juiciest contracts in the NBA, with 42.1 million dollars. Off the court he has raised 50 million, of which they stand out for his participation in Coinbase, the largest cryptocurrency exchange in the United States, as an ambassador.
Roger Federer, in seventh position, continues to be the athlete who gets the most out of his income from outside the tennis court. One more year, the Swiss tennis player has entered only 0.7 for his sporting merits, while for advertising he has obtained 90 million. Much of it comes from his, which provides 30 million a year. In addition to the Japanese brand, Federer earns money from his agreements with Rolex (8 million a year), Barilla (8 million a year), Moet & Chandon (6-8 million a year), Sunrise (7), NetJets (6) , Mercedes-Benz (5), Lindt (4), Credit Suisse (2) or Wilson ($350,000).
Mexican boxer Canelo Álvarez is the eighth richest athlete, with an income of 90 million dollars. Contrary to Federer, Canelo has obtained more of his income from his sporting merits (85 million) than from advertising (5 million). Tom Brady, in ninth position, reached 83.9 million dollars. The NFL player raised 31.9 million per sport, while 52 million came from his commercial agreements, among which his contract with FTX stands out. Like Curry, Brady is also an ambassador and visible face of the brand.
In last place is Giannis Antetokounmpo. The power forward, the first time he enters the list of the ten athletes of the year, entered 80.9 million dollars. Of these, 39.9 came from his contract as a basketball player, and 41 from advertising. At 27 years old, the Greek is the only one on the list who is under 30 years old.
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