Lionel Messi highest paid athlete with $130 million in 2021-22, see top 10 list

It also includes his on-field and off-field earnings. Stats say, the Argentine star earned $75 million from on-field through salary and competition winnings, while the remaining $55 million comes from off-field which comes from sponsorships, endorsements and non-sporting ventures etc.

Second on the list is Los Angeles Lakers power forward LeBron James, who earns $121.2 million, of which on-field earnings were $41.2 million and the remaining $80 million from off-field.

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The third and fourth positions have been taken by football stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar Jr, who earned $115 million and $95 million, respectively.

The fifth spot is occupied by Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry with $92.5 million. The sixth position is held by another American professional basketball player, Kevin Durant, with earnings of $92.1 million.

Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer earned $90 million off-field, while $700k came from on-field. Next comes Mexican professional boxer Canelo Alvarez with $90 million, of which $85 million came from on-the-field and the rest off-field.

American football quarterback Tom Brady is ranked 9th with $83.9 million, while Greek-Nigerian professional basketball player Giannis Antetokounmpo is ranked 10th with $80.9 million.