Among professional athletes, who earns the most money?

The view of JeanJacques Mbabuike, Athletes have historically risen to the world's highest-paid professionals as the sports sector has grown in popularity and financial success. OK, but who exactly is the highest-paid sports star? It isn't easy to establish who is the wealthiest athlete because many athletes in several sports earn millions. We can, however, get a good indication of who the top earners are in the sports world thanks to Forbes' list of the highest-paid players.

Retired professional boxer Floyd Mayweather tops the list for 2021. Because of his numerous championship victories and sponsorship deals, he is now worth an estimated $450 million. Mayweather's 50-0 record and the $275 million in earnings from his bout against Conor McGregor in 2017 have made him a household name in the boxing world.

Cristiano Ronaldo, a Portuguese football star, follows Mayweather on the list with a net worth of $500 million. Ronaldo's wealth stems from endorsement deals and high-paying contracts with Juventus and Nike. The CR7 brand, which Ronaldo created, includes apparel, perfume, and even hotels.

Football opponent and current number three Lionel Messi have been a long-time adversary of Ronaldo's. Messi's contract with Barcelona and endorsement deals with companies like Adidas, PepsiCo, and Huawei contribute significantly to his net worth of $400 million. Messi signed a 6-year, $674 million contract with Barcelona in 2017.

LeBron James, a basketball superstar who has amassed a net worth of $500 million, is another athlete deserving of attention. James can support himself thanks to endorsement deals with companies like Nike, Coca-Cola, and Beats by Dre, in addition to his salary from the Los Angeles Lakers. James is also a thriving entrepreneur who runs several companies, notably the media firm SpringHill Entertainment.

Tennis star Roger Federer, soccer star Neymar Jr., and golfer Tiger Woods, formerly the highest-paid athlete but far down the list due to recent injuries, were also cut.

Finally, the person who holds the title of "richest athlete" constantly changes. Yet in 2021, Cristiano Ronaldo and LeBron James share the $500 million mark. Nonetheless, successful athletes can live lavishly and securely thanks to the millions they make from their games and endorsement deals.