Top-Earning Athletes of 2025: Ronaldo, Messi, Curry Lead the Pack in Style and Spending

Posted : 08 June 2025

Forbes recently released its list of the ten highest-paid athletes of 2025, and their earnings and spending habits reveal a world of luxury, excess, and carefully curated public images. These athletes are not just global sports icons—they’re also savvy entrepreneurs, brand magnets, and, at times, philanthropists. From private jets and multi-million-dollar homes to diamond-studded watches and supercar collections, the stars of sports know how to live large. While their professional talents have brought them fame, it’s their off-the-field lives that fascinate fans just as much.

Cristiano Ronaldo tops the list with an astounding $275 million in earnings, $200 million of which came from his Al-Nassr contract, with the rest coming from endorsements and social media. With over 655 million Instagram followers, he’s also the most followed person in the world. Ronaldo’s lifestyle reflects his fortune—his garage boasts luxury vehicles from Bugatti to Mercedes, and he recently acquired a yacht and a private gym. He also employs a full-time staff, including a chef, and has a football field and a content team dedicated to his online presence. Despite the extravagance, he claims to unwind with a game of bingo, saying it once helped him learn English.

Close behind is Steph Curry with $156 million. The NBA star earned $56 million from basketball and the rest from endorsements. Beyond the court, Curry invests in philanthropy, funding scholarships and vacation opportunities for sick children. He owns a mansion in Atherton, California—America’s most expensive neighborhood—and has interests in fashion and eyewear brands.

A lover of golf, Curry even started his own league and embraces intellectual hobbies, like solving Sudoku puzzles before games. Meanwhile, boxer Tyson Fury earned $146 million, largely from Saudi-hosted bouts. Though he announced his retirement, many suspect he’ll return for another lucrative fight. Fury recently built a lavish mansion in Morecambe, England, complete with a cigar lounge, bar, training arena, and custom-made suits featuring his family crest.

NFL quarterback Dak Prescott pulled in $137 million. Though not considered the league’s best player, Prescott capitalized on rising revenues and a massive signing bonus from the Dallas Cowboys. He razed a 23-acre Texas estate to build a custom-designed home featuring a private football field, mini-golf course, and home theater. Known for his weekend barbecues and charitable donations, Prescott maintains the image of a modern cowboy.

Lionel Messi, with $135 million, enjoys a quieter kind of luxury. Now playing for Inter Miami, he benefits from brand partnerships with Apple and Adidas, a private jet with custom engravings, and a hotel chain. His car collection includes a rare 1957 Ferrari, and he owns framed jerseys from his World Cup-winning teammates and legends like Zidane and Ronaldinho.

LeBron James, earning $133.8 million, operates more like a corporation than an athlete. He spends $1.5 million annually on personal health, owns a wine cellar filled with rare bottles, and is part-owner of Liverpool FC and the Boston Red Sox. He runs a basketball academy and a production studio in Los Angeles. Despite being labeled “stingy” by Kevin Durant, James’ lifestyle—including bespoke suits and elite investments—proves otherwise. Baseball star Juan Soto, who signed a 15-year, $765 million deal with the New York Mets, made $114 million this year. Only 26, Soto is still settling into his newfound wealth. After joining the Mets, he bought a $92,000 Chevrolet SUV for teammate Brett Beatty in exchange for his jersey number—a gesture that shows he’s already embracing the big league lifestyle.

Top-Earning Athletes of 2025: Ronaldo, Messi, Curry Lead the Pack in Style and Spending

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