Ronaldo, Canelo 1-2 on Forbes highest paid list
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- Cristiano Ronaldo earned $300 million in 2025, topping Forbes' World's Highest-Paid Athletes list for 2026.
- Canelo Alvarez earned $170 million in 2025, placing him second on the list, with $160 million from fight purses and $10 million from sponsorships.
- Jake Paul earned $70 million in 2025, ranking 23rd on the list.
- Lionel Messi earned $140 million in 2025, ranking third on the list.
- LeBron James earned $137.8 million in 2025, ranking fourth on the list.
Why it matters: Canelo’s $170 million earnings boost his sponsors’ ROI and cement his marketability, while the earnings gap widens for lower‑profile athletes, concentrating commercial power among a few elite stars.
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