Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo Top Highest-Paid Athletes Across Sports

Soccer stars' massive salaries dwarf earnings of top NFL, NBA and MLB players

Apr. 7, 2026 at 8:20pm

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the contrasting athletic movements and salaries of top soccer, football, basketball, and baseball players, using vibrant colors and sharp geometric shapes to convey the disparity in compensation across different sports.The astronomical salaries of soccer's global superstars reveal the immense commercial value of the world's most popular sport.Denver Today

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, the two best soccer players of their generation, remain the highest-paid athletes in the world. Messi earns an estimated $70-80 million per year with Inter Miami, while Ronaldo's $225 million annual salary with Saudi club Al Nassr makes him the highest-paid athlete across any sport. Top stars in the NFL, NBA and MLB like Dak Prescott, Steph Curry and Shohei Ohtani, while earning massive salaries, still fall short of the astronomical pay of the two soccer legends.

Why it matters

The astronomical salaries of Messi and Ronaldo highlight the immense earning potential and global appeal of the world's top soccer players, dwarfing even the highest-paid stars in the major American sports leagues. This disparity reflects the massive popularity and commercial value of soccer worldwide compared to other sports.

The details

Messi's contract with Inter Miami is estimated to be worth $70-80 million per year when factoring in various bonuses and add-ons. Ronaldo's deal with Saudi club Al Nassr is reported to be worth a staggering $225 million annually, the highest salary of any athlete across any sport. In comparison, the NFL's highest-paid player is Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott at $60 million per year, while the NBA's top earner is expected to be Golden State's Steph Curry at $59.6 million. Even MLB's highest-paid players like the Dodgers' Kyle Tucker ($57.1 million) and Shohei Ohtani ($46.1 million) fall well short of Messi and Ronaldo's astronomical salaries.

  • Messi signed with Inter Miami in 2023.
  • Ronaldo joined Al Nassr in 2023 on a reported $225 million per year contract.
  • Dak Prescott signed a 4-year, $240 million contract with the Cowboys in 2024.
  • Steph Curry is expected to be the NBA's highest-paid player in the 2025-26 season.

The players

Lionel Messi

Considered one of the greatest soccer players of all time, Messi currently plays for MLS club Inter Miami after a storied career with Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.

Cristiano Ronaldo

A five-time Ballon d'Or winner, Ronaldo is widely regarded as one of the best soccer players ever. He currently plays for Saudi club Al Nassr on a reported $225 million per year contract, the highest salary in sports.

Dak Prescott

The Dallas Cowboys quarterback is the highest-paid player in the NFL, signing a 4-year, $240 million contract in 2024.

Steph Curry

The Golden State Warriors superstar point guard is expected to be the NBA's highest-paid player in the 2025-26 season.

Shohei Ohtani

The Los Angeles Dodgers' two-way phenom, Ohtani is one of the highest-paid MLB players with an average annual salary of $46.1 million.

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What they’re saying

“Messi is worth every penny.”

— Jorge Mas, Inter Miami co-owner

“The inflation of the salary cap and wages specifically for quarterbacks suggests that Prescott may not hold top spot for too long.”

— Matt Verderame, Sports Illustrated writer

The takeaway

The massive salaries of soccer superstars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, far exceeding even the highest-paid athletes in the NFL, NBA and MLB, underscores the global popularity and commercial power of the world's most popular sport. This disparity highlights the immense earning potential for the best soccer players and the continued growth of the sport worldwide.