Lionel Messi, Paris Saint-Germain forward, has been listed as the world’s highest-paid athlete over the last year, according to the annual Forbes list.
Messi was placed ahead of the NBA’s LeBron James and Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo. The
Report shows that Messi earned $130 million, which includes $55 million of endorsements during a 12-month period that ended May 1, 2022.
Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James was next on the list after bringing home a combined $121 million, shattering the $96.5 million record for an NBA player that he set last year, while Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo, earned $115 million to sit in the third position.
In the fourth and fifth positions are Brazilian soccer player Neymar ($95 million) and three-time NBA champion Stephen Curry ($92.8 million) of the Golden State Warriors.
The list further includes NBA player, Kevin Durant, who came sixth at $92 million while Swiss tennis great Roger Federer, who played five tournaments in 2021 before he had a knee operation that abrupted his season occupied the seventh position with total earnings of $90.7 million.
The last 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).
