Top 10 Richest Players in the World — 2025 

Who are the richest players (active and retired athletes) in the world in 2025? Discover the Top 10 richest players, their estimated net worths, where their wealth comes from, and what pushed them to the top of the money charts in 2025.

We love sports for the drama on the field — but behind the headlines there’s a parallel scoreboard: net worth. In 2025 the list of the wealthiest athletes blends on-field paychecks with lifetime endorsement deals, smart investments, team ownership stakes and business empires. Below we present the Top 10 richest players in the world in 2025, explain how they built their fortunes, and offer quick takeaways for fans, creators and editors building SEO content around athlete wealth.

• Michael Jordan leads the pack — by a wide margin — thanks to the Jordan Brand and business holdings.

• Several athletes crossed the billion-dollar mark through a combination of endorsements, equity stakes and sports income (Ronaldo, LeBron, Tiger, Federer join that club in 2025).

• The rest of the top 10 are a mix of active superstars and retired legends who turned fame into long-term wealth.

How we define “richest players”

“Players” here includes professional athletes — past and present — whose primary public identity is as a sports player (football/soccer, basketball, golf, tennis, etc.). Net worth figures are estimates that combine salaries, endorsements, business holdings and public filings reported by major financial and sports media in 2025. Exact figures vary by publisher; the list below reflects the consensus among reputable outlets and Forbes/Reuters reporting where available.

The Top 10 Richest Players in 2025

1. Michael Jordan — ~$3.5–$3.8 billion

Michael Jordan remains the richest athlete in history. The bulk of Jordan’s wealth is not NBA salary (which was modest compared with today’s top contracts) but the Jordan Brand, lifetime Nike revenues, team ownership deals and a diversified investment portfolio. In 2025 he sits at the top of celebrity billionaires lists.

Why it matters: Jordan’s fortune is a case study in turning sporting fame into an evergreen consumer brand.

2. Magic Johnson — ~$1.4–$1.6 billion

Magic Johnson’s net worth comes largely from savvy business investments and ownership stakes (media, real estate, franchises and other ventures). Though retired from the NBA, his business activity keeps him among the billionaire athletes.

Why it matters: Ownership and diversified holdings can eclipse playing salaries over time.

3. Tiger Woods — ~$1.2–$1.4 billion

Tiger’s golf earnings, long-running sponsorships and strategic equity stakes made him one of the earliest athletes to cross the billion mark. Even as competition changes, his legacy deals and course-related investments underpin a massive fortune.

Why it matters: Control of a category (golf star + luxury marketing) translates to long-term wealth.

4. LeBron James — ~$1.1–$1.4 billion

LeBron became the first active NBA player to achieve billion-dollar status and has since expanded into media, production, equity stakes and strategic brand partnerships beyond endorsements. His SpringHill co-ventures and investments in franchises and media have been key drivers.

Why it matters: Active athletes can still build billionaire fortunes by investing early in businesses and media.

5. Cristiano Ronaldo — ~$1.2–$1.4 billion

Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2025 valuation took a big leap through record-setting playing contracts (notably in Saudi football), massive global endorsements and the CR7 lifestyle brand. By 2025 major outlets reported Ronaldo among the athlete billionaires thanks to lucrative club deals and long-term commercial arrangements.

Why it matters: Global reach and a personal brand that spans apparel, fragrances and licensing can push player net worth into billionaire territory.

6. Roger Federer — ~$1.0–$1.2 billion

Federer’s retirement didn’t stop his wealth growth. Lucrative sponsor deals, a sizable stake in apparel and tech ventures, and continued licensing and exhibition income helped Federer reach billionaire status in 2025.

Why it matters: Timely equity investments (e.g., in successful brands) can accelerate post-career wealth growth.

7. Lionel Messi — ~$500–$850 million

Messi’s 2024–25 earnings include club salary, tour income, and global endorsements with brands across tech, apparel and lifestyle. Multiple reputable trackers put Messi in the upper hundreds of millions of dollars in net worth, reflecting both playing contracts and off-field revenue. (Estimates vary by outlet.)

Why it matters: Even late-career moves (MLS or Saudi contracts, commercial tours) materially affect an athlete’s net worth.

8. David Beckham — ~$400–$500 million

Beckham parlayed star power into an enduring global brand: endorsements, franchising and high-value real estate. Though retired, Beckham is still one of football’s most commercially valuable players.

Why it matters: Positioning as a lifestyle and fashion icon extends commercial relevance beyond playing years.

9. Neymar Jr. — ~$300–$450 million

Neymar’s combination of club contracts, image rights and sponsorships keeps him among the highest-valued footballers. While not in the billionaire tier, Neymar remains one of the wealthiest active players worldwide.

Why it matters: High on-field earnings + strong lifestyle endorsements = sustained high net worth.

10. (Tie / Close contenders) — Kylian Mbappé, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, others (~$200–$400M)

The final slot(s) on a top-10 richest-players list are competitive. Kylian Mbappé, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry and a handful of other stars each have hundreds of millions in net worth from salary, endorsements and business stakes; depending on which metrics (liquid assets vs. total holdings) you choose, anyone among them can occupy the No.10 position. Sources report varying estimates — the lesson is the same: modern athletes’ wealth grows fast when on-field pay meets business savvy.

Why it matters: New contracts, equity deals and team valuations shift rankings quickly — watch active stars for big jumps.

What drives athlete wealth in 2025?

1. Huge playing contracts and sign-on bonuses — leagues and clubs in football, basketball and golf continue to push top pay higher.

2. Endorsements and lifetime product deals — Nike, Adidas and lifestyle brands still make the biggest difference for global stars.

3. Equity stakes — ownership in teams, apparel brands, tech startups, beverage companies and media firms often produces the largest long-term gains (see Jordan, Magic, Federer, LeBron).

4. Real estate and licensing — athlete-controlled IP (brands, image rights, product lines) and property investments add durable value.

5. New markets — Saudi Pro League and MLS deals in recent years have re-priced several players’ earning power substantially.