Forbes Highest Paid Athletes 2023 Full List

Forbes has just released its list of the top 10 highest-paid athletes for the year 2023, and soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has once again claimed the top spot. Ronaldo’s staggering earnings of $136 Million from salary, endorsements, and other business ventures have made him the highest-paid athlete in the world.

The Portuguese star is closely followed by Argentinian great Lionel Messi, who earned $130 Million. The rest of the list is dominated by athletes from the world of soccer, basketball, tennis, and golf, each earning tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars from their athletic prowess and off-field business ventures.

Forbes Highest Paid Athletes 2023 Full List

Rank	Name of the Athlete	Nationality	Sports	Annual Income
1	Cristiano Ronaldo	Portugal	Soccer	$136 Million
2	Lionel Messi	Argentina	Soccer	$130 Million
3	Kylian Mbappe	France	Soccer	$120 Million
4	LeBron James	United States	Basketball	$119.5 Million
5	Canelo Alvarez	Mexico	Boxing	$110 Million
6	Dustin Johnson	United States	Golf	$107 Million
7	Phil Mickelson	United States	Golf	$106 Million
8	Stephen Curry	United States	Basketball	$100.4 Million
9	Roger Federer	Switzerland	Tennis	$95.1 Million
10	Kevin Durant	United States	Basketball	$89.1 Million

Forbes List of Top 10 Highest-Paid Athletes in 2023

Cristiano Ronaldo

Age	38 Years
On-Field Earnings	$46 Million
Off-Field Earnings	$90 Million
Total Earnings	$136 Million

Cristiano Ronaldo has been named the highest-paid athlete of 2023 according to Forbes. The Portuguese footballer earned a total of $136 million over the past year, with $46 million coming from his salary and $90 million from endorsements.

Ronaldo’s success on and off the field has made him one of the most recognizable and marketable athletes in the world. He has won numerous awards throughout his career, including multiple Ballon d’Or titles and several European Golden Shoes.

Lionel Messi

Age	35 Years
On-Field Earnings	$65 Million
Off-Field Earnings	$65 Million
Total Earnings	$130 Million

Lionel Messi has once again made it to the Forbes list of highest-paid athletes in 2023. The Argentinian footballer is ranked second, with a total earning of $130 million. This is largely due to his lucrative contract with Paris Saint-Germain, which he signed in 2021 after leaving Barcelona.

Messi’s earnings also include endorsement deals with major brands. Despite being in his mid-thirties, Messi shows no signs of slowing down. He continues to be a dominant player on the field. Undoubtedly, he is one of the greatest footballers of all time.

Kylian Mbappe

Age	24 Years
On-Field Earnings	$100 Million
Off-Field Earnings	$20
Total Earnings	$120 Million

Kylian Mbappe has been named the third highest-paid athlete in the world in 2023 by Forbes. The French footballer earned a total of $120 million in the past year with $2O million coming from endorsements alone. Mbappe’s earnings have skyrocketed thanks to his impressive performances on the field and his growing popularity off the pitch.

Just 24 years old, Mbappe has already established himself as one of the best footballers in the world. He has won numerous awards including the Fifa World Cup in 2018.

LeBron James

Age	38 Years
On-Field Earnings	$44.5 Million
Off-Field Earnings	$75 Million
Total Earnings	$119.5 Million

As per Forbes, LeBron James is the fourth highest-paid athlete in the world. The basketball superstar’s earnings for the year amounted to $119.5 million, with $75 million coming from endorsements and $44.5 million from his salary and winnings.

Despite being in the later stages of his career, James continues to dominate the basketball court and remains a top earner in the sports industry.

Canelo Alvarez

Age	32 Years
On-Field Earnings	$100 Million
Off-Field Earnings	$10 Million
Total Earnings	$110 Million

Canelo Alvarez, the Mexican professional boxer, has secured his spot as the 5th highest-paid athlete in the world, according to Forbes’ 2023 list. With total earnings of $110 million, Alvarez has made a name for himself in the boxing world.

He has won multiple world championships in different weight classes. There is no doubt that Alvarez will continue to make waves in the boxing world and secure his spot as one of the greatest boxers of all time.

Dustin Johnson

Age	38 Years
On-Field Earnings	$102 Million
Off-Field Earnings	$5 Million
Total Earnings	$107 Million

Dustin Johnson has got the 6^th position on the list of highest-earning athletes in 2023. The American professional golfer has earned a whopping $107 million in the past year, thanks to his numerous endorsements and tournament winnings.

It is true that Johnson has faced many setbacks in his career, including a devastating back injury. However, he proved to be a resilient and talented player.

Phil Mickelson

Age	52 Years
On-Field Earnings	$104 Million
Off-Field Earnings	$2 Million
Total Earnings	$106 Million

Phil Mickelson has been listed as the 7th highest-paid athlete in the world. With total earnings of $106 million, he has proven himself to be a successful golfer and businessman. Mickelson’s income comes from various sources, including endorsements, sponsorships, and tournament winnings.

Mickelson has been a professional golfer since the early 1990s and has won numerous tournaments throughout his career.

Stephen Curry

Age	35 Years
On-Field Earnings	$48.4 Million
Off-Field Earnings	$52 Million
Total Earnings	$ 100.4 Million

Stephen Curry, the NBA superstar, has been a household name since he first entered the league. Known for his incredible shooting ability and quickness on the court, Curry has become one of the most popular athletes in the world. In 2023, Forbes listed him as the 8th highest-paid athlete in the world with an estimated income of $100.4 million.

Roger Federer

Age	41 Years
On-Field Earnings	$0.1 Million
Off-Field Earnings	$95 Million
Total Earnings	$95.1 Million

Roger Federer is one of the most iconic athletes in the world of tennis. He started playing tennis at a young age and quickly rose through the ranks to become one of the sport’s greatest champions. Even though he retired from professional tennis in 2022, he remains one of the most beloved and successful athletes in the world. He is the still on the list of Forbes’ highest-paid athletes in the world. Check Richest Tennis Players in the World

Kevin Durant

Age	34 Years
On-Field Earnings	$44.1 Million
Off-Field Earnings	$45 Million
Total Earnings	$89.1 Million

Kevin Durant is a basketball superstar renowned for his talent and hard work. With his incredible scoring ability, towering height, and unstoppable drive, Durant has become a household name and a hero to millions of fans around the globe. Forbes has ranked him 10th on its list of highest-paid athletes in the world in 2023.