Messi, Ronaldo, LeBron, Federer: Forbes' 10 highest-paid athletes for 2022

Lionel Messi is the highest-paid athlete in the world, according to Forbes, after earning a staggering amount of money in the last 12 months.

The PSG star beat heavy competition, including a number of American athletes to come out on top.

This year’s top 10 earned more than an incredible $990 million combined, with a lot of the money coming from endorsements and high salaries.

Messi earned $130 million in the last year, with $75 million coming on the field and $55 million being made through other endorsements such as Pepsi, Budweiser and Adidas.

In second place is basketball superstar LeBron James, who just misses out to the Argentine despite earning $80 million off the court.

His combined total is $121.2 million with $41.2 million being achieved when playing for the Lakers.

His starring role in Space Jam: A New Legacy wasn’t quite enough to take him to the top of the list.

Cristiano Ronaldo comes in next on the list after being paid $115 million in the last year.

His money is evenly split as $60 million is earned from football and the rest is earned from his off-field activities.

Another footballer Neymar appears in fourth after taking home $95 million, with $70 million of that coming from his high wages at PSG.

Stephen Curry makes up the top five thanks to the $92.8 million that he earned in the last 12 months.

The basketball star, who is considered as the greatest shooter of all time, earns $45.8 million on the court and $47 million off it.

Kevin Durant is just short of his former teammate’s amount with the Brooklyn Nets man earning $92.1 million. 

An incredible $90 million is earned from Roger Federer outside of the tennis court and just $0.7 million on it.

Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez appears in eighth position on the