Lionel Messi was the world’s highest-paid athlete during the last year, in accordance with the annual Forbes list released on Wednesday that had the Paris Saint-Germain forward ahead of the NBA’s LeBron James and Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo.
Messi earned $130 million, a figure which incorporates $55 million of endorsements, in the course of the 12-month interval ended May 1, 2022, to sit atop the record of the ten highest-paid athletes a year after ending second to Irish MMA fighter Conor McGregor.
Los Angeles Lakers ahead James was next on the list after bringing home a mixed $121 million, shattering the $96.5 million record for an NBA player that he set last year, whereas Portugal captain Ronaldo earned $115 million to sit third.
The World’s 10 Highest-Paid Athletes 2022 https://t.co/MIB7ZF8u5I pic.twitter.com/ujPt4ny41s
— Forbes (@Forbes) May 12, 2022
Brazilian soccer player Neymar ($95 million) and three-time NBA champion Stephen Curry ($92.8 million) of the Golden State Warriors rounded out the highest five.
NBA player Kevin Durant ($92 million) was sixth whereas Swiss tennis great Roger Federer, who played 5 tournaments in 2021 earlier than a knee operation curtailed his season, was third with total earnings of $90.7 million.
The final three spots on the list went to Mexican boxer Canelo Alvarez ($90 million), seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady ($83.9 million) and reigning NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Giannis Antetokounmpo ($80.9 million).
Forbes mentioned its on-the-field earnings figures include all prize cash, salaries and bonuses earned in the course of the 12-month interval whereas off-field earnings are an estimate of sponsorship deals, appearance fees and licensing income.
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