A career in sports is one of the highest-paying jobs in the world. As the years go by there is a significant increase in the earnings of the top sports person across the world. The multiple sources of income contribute hugely to their vast wealth. From endorsement deals to prize money from competitions, sports people earn from various means. Today we are here to uncover the top 10 Richest sports person in the world in 2024. Let’s have a look at the list:
1. Tiger Woods
The Richest sportsperson in the world is the American professional golfer Tiger Woods. Regarded as the greatest golfer of all time, Tiger Woods is also an inductee of the World Golf Hall of Fame. He has won five Masters Tournaments starting from 1997, three U.S Opens and four PGA Championship starting from the year of 1999. Woods started his professional career in 1996 at the age of 20. He is one of the most famous athletes of this century and has been depicted as a wax sculpture at the esteemed Madame Tussauds. Tiger Woods appeared on the Forbes list of the World’s highest-paid athletes in the years 2019 and 2020. His net worth is reported to be USD 800 million.
2. Lionel Messi
Second on the list of Richest sports person is none other than the football legend Lionel Messi. This Argentine footballer is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time and is one of the most popular and loved people on our planet. He was named the world’s best player for a record eight times by FIFA. He was the world’s highest-paid footballer for five years. His net worth is reported to be USD 650 million.
3. LeBron James
LeBron James is an American Professional Basketball Player and the third Richest sports person. of the world. He is widely regarded as the greatest basketball player. Competed in 10 NBA Finals and won 4 NBA Championships, LeBron James plays for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association. He is the all-time leading scorer in NBA history and is currently the oldest player in the NBA. LeBron James was featured in Time’s 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2005,2013,2017, and 2019. His net worth is estimated to be USD 600 million.
4. Cristiano Ronaldo
This Portuguese professional footballer is widely considered to be one of the greatest players and has won five Ballon d’Or awards. Cristiano Ronaldo plays as a forward and captains the Portugal National Team. He is also history’s most-capped male player, with 200 caps and more than 100 international goals. The Portuguese Football Federation named him the best Portuguese player of all time in 2015. Ronaldo was ranked the world’s highest-paid athlete by Forbes in 2016, 2017, and 2023. His net worth is estimated to be USD 600 million.
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5. Phil Mickelson
The fifth Richest sportsperson in the world, Phil Mickelson is an American professional golfer, who currently plays for the LIV Golf League. He has won six Major championships, three Masters titles, two PGA Championships, and One Open Championship. This left-handed golfer became the oldest Major championship winner in history at the age of 50. Phil Mickelson was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2012. His net worth is estimated to be USD 300 million.
6. Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant is an American professional basketball player. He plays for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association (NBA). This sportsperson is widely regarded as one of the greatest NBA players of all time and has won two NBA Championships. He has won three gold medals in the Olympics in the years 2012, 2016 and 2020. Durant is the leading scorer in Team USA’s men’s Olympic Basketball history. He was featured in Time’s 100 Most Influential People in the World list of 2018. His net worth is reported to be USD 300 million.
7. Russell Westbrook
Russell Westbrook is the seventh Richest sportsperson in the world with a net worth of USD 300 million. He is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Westbrook has played for five NBA teams since his debut in 2008. Russell Westbrook won a gold medal in the 2010 FIBA World Championship while representing the United States national team.
8. Lewis Hamilton
This British racing driver competes in Formula One driving for Mercedes. Lewis Hamilton has won a record seven Formula One World Drivers’ Championship titles. He holds the record for most wins which is 103 and podium finishes which is 197. Lewis Hamilton was featured in the Times’s 2020 issue of the 100 most influential people globally. He was also knighted in the 2021 New Year Honors. His net worth is reported to be USD 285 million.
9. Canelo Álvarez
Canelo Álvarez is a Mexican professional boxer holding multiple world championships in four weight classes. Known as an excellent counterpuncher, Alvarez is ranked as the world’s fourth-best active boxer. He is one of boxing’s biggest-ever pay-per-view stars and one of the highest-paid athletes in the world. Alvarez made Forbes’s list of the world’s highest-paid athletes in 2019, 2022 and 2023. His net worth is estimated at USD 250 million.
10. Neymar Jr
Neymar Jr is the tenth Richest sportsperson in the world with a net worth of USD 250 million. This Brazilian professional footballer plays for the Brazilian national team as an attacking midfielder. Neymar is the highest-scoring Brazilian player in Champions League history and the top goal-scorer of all time for Brazil’s National Football Team. He was featured in Time’s list of 100 most influential people in the world. He also ranked third in the Forbes 2019 list of the world’s highest-paid athletes and dropped to fourth position in 2020.
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Conclusion
As glamorous as the sports world seems, it is as cutthroat as well. The competition is high and the reward is higher. When looking at the earnings of sportspersons we often overlook the long and hard struggle they went through. Being a sportsperson is rewarding but at the same time challenging. That was our list of Top 10 Richest sports persons in the world in 2024.