Forbes Top 50 Highest-Paid Athletes Out, Only Two Africans Make It

Forbes has released its annual list of the world’s highest-paid athletes, with Cristiano Ronaldo retaining his top spot for another year.

Ronaldo’s annual earnings of $250 million are almost double those of Lionel Messi, who came in third behind U.S.-based Spanish golfer Jon Rahm. LeBron James, the only billionaire in the Top 10, ranked fourth with annual earnings of $128.2 million.

The rest of the top 10 included Giannis Antetokuonmpo, Kylian Mbappé, Neymar Jr., Karim Benzema, Steph Curry, and Lamar Jackson. Notably, no Nigerian athlete made the list, with the lowest-ranked player, Devin Booker, earning over $45 million annually.

Nigerian athletes, such as Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen, earn significantly less, with Osimhen being the highest-paid Nigerian athlete currently.

However, Osimhen is expected to sign a big-money move this summer, which could potentially double his earnings and make him one of the highest-paid African athletes.

Only two Africans made the Forbes list, both from the football world. Mohamed Salah, with annual earnings of $53 million, remains the highest-paid African athlete and footballer in the world, ranking 38th overall.

Sadio Mané, with estimated annual earnings of $52 million, is the only other African on the list, ranking 40th overall. This is the second year in a row that Forbes has crowned Mo Salah as the highest-paid African athlete and footballer in the world.