Cristiano Ronaldo Tops Forbes List of Highest-Paid Athletes for 2026

Cristiano Ronaldo earned an estimated $300 million over the past 12 months, according to Forbes data released May 22, 2026. The amount ties the record set by Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2015 and marks the fourth consecutive year Ronaldo has led the ranking.

Ronaldo received $235 million from his playing contract with Al-Nassr and $65 million from endorsements, appearances, licensing, and other business activities. The Portuguese soccer player, age 41, has held the top spot six times since Forbes began the list in 1990.

The ten highest-paid athletes collectively earned $1. On-field income from salaries, bonuses, and prize money totaled $902 million, while off-field income from sponsorships and business ventures reached $513 million. Shohei Ohtani recorded the highest off-field earnings at an estimated $125 million.

6 million overall and regained the top MLB position after Juan Soto held it in 2025 with $114 million.

Hamilton collected an estimated $100 million, exceeding the previous Formula 1 record of $82 million he set in 2021. 8 million. The average age of the top ten athletes is 37, the highest in the history of the ranking. Three athletes on the list are 41 years old and three are 35 or younger.