Top 10 Richest Athletes In 2021 – New Records List!

In this article, we would be looking into the list of the highest paid/richest athletes in 2020. This list is compiled based on numerous researches, with the Forbes magazine being our major source of reference.

Over the course of three decades, the list has seen only seven athletes taken the top spot, with Tiger wood holding the record of being on the top spot the most. His record of 12 top spot stay is unmatched by none. This year, Lionel Messi, becomes the eight athletes to hit the top spot, he’s the second footballer player to achieve this feat after Cristiano Ronaldo.

Below is the list of the top earning athletes:

1st Richest Athletes In 2020 – LIONEL MESSI

LIONEL MESSI: The Argentine international and Barcelona superstar is the highest-paid athlete in the world. He earned an approximate value of $127m over the last footballing year. The sensational attacker enjoyed a blistering season, winning is 6th golden boot as he netted a whopping 38 goals in the Spanish top-flight, helping his team to another La liga tittle.

Lionel Messi is the second ever soccer player to top the list and the fourth in the last 19 years. Tiger Wood, Floyd Mayweather and Cristiano Ronaldo have been the ones topping in the last 19 years. Tiger wood topped for a record 12 times, with Floyd and Ronaldo making it to the top four times and two times respectively.

2nd Richest Athletes In 2020 – CRISTIANO RONALDO

CRISTIANO RONALDO – The sensational Juventus and Portugal forward comes second on the list with a sum of $109m earned in the last footballing year. $44m out this amount came via endorsement deal with brands like Nike, Herbalife, Altice etc. Cr7 has he’s popularly called won the helped his Country to lift his second international trophy, he also lifted the Seria A, and Coppa Italia title with is club Juventus.

Juventus sold a mammoth of 520,000 Ronaldo Jerseys which worth over $60,000 within 24hrs of is €112m move from Real Madrid last year. He’s idolized by many and he’s currently the most followed celebrity on social media.

3rd Richest Athletes In 2020 – NEYMAR DOS SANTOS JUNIOR

Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior – Neymar Jnr is the third soccer player on this list, it’s the first time soccer players would be in the top three of this list. The most expensive football player in the history of football plies his trade for the French side Paris St Germain. The Brazilian international earned an estimated figure of $106m last year. $30m out of this revenue was generated through endorsement deals with brands like DAZN, Beats Electronics, Gillette etc.

4th Richest Athletes In 2020 – CANELO ALVAREZ 

CANELO ALVAREZ – The Mexican boxer is the biggest pay-per-view boxing star. Endorsement deals aside, Alvarez earned the same $92m with Lionel Messi in their given sport.

His total earning for the year is estimated to be $94m with the extra $2m coming from endorsement deals with DAZN and Everlast.

5th Richest Athletes In 2020 – ROGER FEDERER

ROGER FEDERER – Federer is regarded has tennis greatest player ever. The Swiss international has a lot of endorsement deals under his belt and he’s the highest paid athletes from endorsement deals alone.

He earned $86m through endorsement deals with brands like Credit Suisse, Mercedes-Benz and Rolex. His off-court appearance and endorsement deal revenue is estimated to be $93.4m.

6th Richest Athletes In 2020 – RUSSELL WILSON

RUSSELL WILSON – The American football superstar is NFL’s highest-paid player after signing a contract extension deal with his current club Seattle Seahawks. The six-time Pro Bowler doubles has the brand management company West2East Empire, CEO. He pocketed $80.5m in salary and earned a further $9m from endorsement deals with brands like Amazon, Mercedes, Nike etc.

7th Richest Athletes In 2020 – AARON RODGERS

AARON RODGERS – Known has the fattest-ever quarterback to reach 300 passing touchdowns, the American football sensation makes the 7th position on this list.

Rodgers boast of the highest passer rate in NFL, the 7-times Pro Bowler and two times MVP winner earned $89.3m in the last American football calendar. He partners with Prevea, Panini, Adidas amongst others.

8th Richest Athletes In 2020 – LeBRON JAMES

LeBRON JAMES – The American Basketball player comes in the 8th position has the highest earning basketball player. He signed a Four-year contract worth $153m with his current club LA Lakers last year. The four times NBA MVP boasts of a lot of endorsements under his belt, he also owns a Production company and a media company.

LeBron James also owns a foundation that his aimed at sending undedicated kids to college. It is reported that he earned $89m in the year under review.

9th Richest Athletes In 2020 – STEPHEN CURRY

STEPHEN CURRY – Curry is a Two-time NBA MVP, the Golden state warrior star sits as the 9th highest paid athlete in the world, he earned a sum of $79.8m in the year under review. He’s said to be one of the most marketable NBA star, and has lots of endorsement deals from brands like Chase, Nissan Motor, Under Armour amongst others.

10th Richest Athletes In 2020 – KEVIN DURANT

KEVIN DURANT – According to Forbes, the third basket player on this list Durant is the tenth highest player on this list. He earns the same $35m from endorsement deal with Lionel Messi, his sponsors includes Google, Alaska Air Group, Nike among others. He also owns a Foundation which is aimed at bringing College Track academic program to his hometown, Maryland. He launched the project 2018 and it’s reported to cost $10m.

There you have it, the list of the highest earning athletes in 2020. The list featured three soccer players, one boxing and tennis stars, two Rugby players and three basketball players. Soccer and Basketball ties as the joint most represented sport on the list.