Seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi has emerged as the highest paid footballer for 2022, according to the annual list released by Forbes.

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) forward Messi pipped Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo and his club teammate Neymar to be listed as the highest paid footballer in the world.

As per the Forbes list, Messi also edged NBA’s LeBron James to become the world’s highest paid athlete, leading the list for the second time (the other was in 2019).

Despite his much-talked about transfer from FC Barcelona to PSG as a free agent, Messi earned a whopping $130 million over the last 12 months. While Messi took a salary cut of $22 million at PSG, the Argentine star raked in $55 million through multiple endorsement deals.

On the other hand, LeBron James earned $121.2 million over the past one year while Ronaldo raked in $115 million in the same period.

Interestingly, LeBron became the first NBA player to surpass $100 million in a single year, a record which Messi and Ronaldo have achieved five times each.

Apart from Messi and Ronaldo, PSG forward Neymar features fourth in the top 10 list of highest paid athletes in the world and is currently the third highest paid footballer.

The former Brazil football team captain raked in a combined $95 million through on field and off field earnings. Neymar currently earns $25 million at PSG while the remaining $70 million has come through various endorsements.

How does Forbes calculate the earnings of athletes?

American business magazine Forbes calculates an athlete’s annual pay taking into consideration his/her on-the-field and off-the-field earnings.

While on-the-field remuneration include salaries, bonuses and prize money availed by the athlete over the last 12 months, off-the-field earnings include sponsorship deals, appearance fees, licensing income, and profits from the athletes’ own businesses.

Highest-paid footballers 2022

Athlete 

Earnings Value

Overall Ranking

Lionel Messi

$130 million

1

Cristiano Ronaldo

$115 million

3

Neymar

$95 million

4

Highest-paid athletes 2022

Athlete 

Sport

Earnings Value

Lionel Messi

Football

$130 million

LeBron James

NBA

$121.2 million

Cristiano Ronaldo

Football

$115 million

Neymar

Football

$95 million

Stephen Curry

Basketball

$92.8 million

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Featured photo: FRANCK FIFE / AFP