Lionel Messi was the world's highest-paid athlete over the last year, according to the annual Forbes list released Wednesday that had the Paris Saint-Germain forward ahead of the NBA's LeBron James and Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo.
Messi earned $130m, a figure which includes $55m of endorsements, during the 12-month period ended May 1, 2022, to sit atop the list of the 10 highest-paid athletes a year after finishing second to Irish MMA fighter Conor McGregor.
Los Angeles Lakers forward James was next on the list after bringing home a combined $121m, shattering the $96.5m record for an NBA player that he set last year, while Portugal captain Ronaldo earned $115m to sit third.
Brazilian football player Neymar ($95m) and three-time NBA champion Stephen Curry ($92.8m) of the Golden State Warriors rounded out the top five.
NBA player Kevin Durant ($92m) was sixth while Swiss tennis great Roger Federer, who played five tournaments in 2021 before a knee operation curtailed his season, was seventh with total earnings of $90.7m.
The final three spots on the list went to Mexican boxer Canelo Alvarez ($90m), seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady ($83.9m) and reigning NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Giannis Antetokounmpo ($80.9m).
Forbes said its on-the-field earnings figures include all prize money, salaries and bonuses earned during the 12-month period while off-field earnings are an estimate of sponsorship deals, appearance fees and licensing income.
List of highest earning athletes
1. Lionel Messi ($130m)
2. LeBron James ($121m)
3. Cristiano Ronaldo ($115m)
4. Neymar ($95m)
5. Stephen Curry ($92.8m)
6. Kevin Durant ($92m)
7. Roger Federer ($90.7m)
8. Canelo Alvarez ($90m)
9. Tom Brady ($83.9m)
10. Giannis Antetokounmpo ($80.9m)
