10 of The World's Highest-Paid Athletes Ranked: Stephen Curry, Lionel Messi, and More

Who among the world’s most renowned athletes receive the highest pay?

The world has seen the finest athletes whose talents in their respective fields remain unmatched. It is no secret that in sports, the best and the biggest players also get the biggest banks—through their careers they have accumulated wealth from the ticket sales of highly-anticipated matches, merchandise, and whatnot.

If you have ever wondered who among the world's top players get the biggest cash, then look no further. Below is a ranking based on the data provided by JustWatch, an international streaming guide.

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1. Lionel Messi

Above (Photo: Gareth Cattermole/FIFA)

Football icon Lionel Messi takes the number one spot with US$75 million annual salary. For many fans, Messi is an athlete whose legacy under Barcelona cannot be forgotten, the sports star has been in the with FC Barcelona for 21 years until August 2021.

In a press conference, a tearful Messi announced that he was leaving the Spanish league after the former said it could no longer afford to pay his high wages.

Messi said that he is prepared to shoulder 50 per cent of the wage in order to stay and sign a new contract, but was unable to finalise the deal due to the club's huge debts. “We had everything agreed, but at the last minute, it couldn’t happen; this year, I wanted to stay and I couldn’t,” the player said.

2. Neymar

Above (Photo: AFP)

Second on the list is Brazilian football player Neymar who also takes home US$ 75 million annually. With the guidance of his father, the athlete began playing football as a boy in São Vicente. At the tender age of 14, he has a successful trial with Spain's Real Madrid.

His first team debut happened with Santos in 2009; he averaged a goal every other match and backed the team up with his confidence, excellent body control, and speed in the field. In 2013, Neymar signed a five-year contract with FC Barcelona after a trade with Santos in exchange for US$ 76 million. This is now known as one of the most expensive transfers in history.

3. Cristiano Ronaldo

UDINE, ITALY - AUGUST 22: Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus looks on during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio v Juventus at Dacia Arena on August 22, 2021 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Above UDINE, ITALY - AUGUST 22: Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus looks on during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio v Juventus at Dacia Arena on August 22, 2021 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Ranking third is Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo who gets an annual salary of US$ 70 million. In the span of his football career, Cristiano Ronaldo has bagged five Ballon d’Or awards, four FIFA Club World Cups, and has also won UEFA Champions Leagues. The Portuguese player's determination in the arena has made him one of the world's best players.

4. Lewis Hamilton

Above (Photo: Express Co UK)

British racecar driver Lewis Hamilton has an average of US$ 62 million yearly salary. He is considered to be one of the most successful Formula One (F1) Grand Prix racing drivers of all time. As of this post, he owns the F1 record for career race victories and is even tied with Michael Schumacher for the most driver's championships.

5. Stephen Curry

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 14: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after a three point basket during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at Crypto.com Arena on February 14, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

Above LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 14: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after a three point basket during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at Crypto.com Arena on February 14, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

Ranking fifth is American basketball player Stephen Curry with a yearly salary of US$ 46 million. The sports star immediately made an impact with the Warriors, becoming the team's starting point guard with an average of 17.5 points per game in his first season.

In 2015, Curry made a then-record of 286 three-pointers all while leading the Warriors to an NBA-best 67 to 15 record. Because of this, he was named the league's Most Valuable Player (MVP).

6. Max Verstappen

MILTON KEYNES, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 15: 2021 F1 World Drivers Champion Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing applauds his team as hearrives at Red Bull Racing Factory on December 15, 2021 in Milton Keynes, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Above MILTON KEYNES, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 15: 2021 F1 World Drivers Champion Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing applauds his team as hearrives at Red Bull Racing Factory on December 15, 2021 in Milton Keynes, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

With an annual salary of US$ 42 million, auto racing champion Max Verstappen takes the sixth spot. As of this writing, he competes under the Dutch flag in Formula One with Red Bull Racing. At the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, he has achieved 20 victories and 13 pole positions. He also scored the first Grand Slam of his career.

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7. Giannis Antetokounmpo

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 10: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks watches from the sideline during the first half against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center on February 10, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns beat the Bucks 131-107. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)

Above PHOENIX, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 10: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks watches from the sideline during the first half against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center on February 10, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns beat the Bucks 131-107. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)

The seventh spot belongs to Giannis Antetokounmpo who accumulates an estimated US$ 39 million per year. Born and raised in Athens to Nigerian immigrants, Antetokounmpo started playing basketball for the youth teams of Filathlitikos. In 2016, the basketball star successfully led the Bucks in five major categories and became the first player in NBA history to finish one regular season in the top 20 in all five statistics of total points, assists, steals, blocks, and rebounds.

8. Rudy Gobert

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - FEBRUARY 14: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz looks on during the second half of a game against the Houston Rockets at Vivint Smart Home Arena on February 14, 2022 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)

Above SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - FEBRUARY 14: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz looks on during the second half of a game against the Houston Rockets at Vivint Smart Home Arena on February 14, 2022 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)

On the eighth spot is French basketball star Rudy Gobert who has an annual average of US$ 35 million. With his 7ft and 1 inch (2.16 metres) height, a wingspan of 7 ft 9 inches (2.36 metres) long, Gobert plays centre position and is considered as one of NBA's best rim protectors.

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9. Ben Simmons

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JUNE 18: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers calls out a play against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half of game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at State Farm Arena on June 18, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Above ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JUNE 18: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers calls out a play against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half of game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at State Farm Arena on June 18, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Australian basketball player Ben Simmons takes home a whopping US$ 33 million every year, this is why the player lands this list's ninth spot. The athlete left school to enter the NBA draft. As fate would have it, they ended up becoming the third Melbourne-born number one overall pick in 11 years following sports stars Andrew Bogut and Kyrie Irving.

10. Pascal Siakam

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - FEBRUARY 14: Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors reacts against the New Orleans Pelicans during a game at the Smoothie King Center on February 14, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

Above NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - FEBRUARY 14: Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors reacts against the New Orleans Pelicans during a game at the Smoothie King Center on February 14, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

Cameroonian professional basketball player for Toronto Raptors Pascal Siakam placed 10th with US$ 33 million. After being assigned to the NBA Development League (G League) in 2017, he immediately set a premise with a league championship and picked up Finals Most Valuable Player honours in the process.

The player would later help the Raptors get an NBA championship in 2019, making him earn the Most Improved Player Award.

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The World’s Highest Paid Athletes Ranked