Here are the TOP 10 HIGHEST-PAID ATHLETES IN 2022 according to a Forbes report which lists sportsmen who are making the most millions every year!
1. LIONEL MESSI – $130 MILLION
![](https://10things.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Screenshot-2022-11-29-at-07.36.32.png)
Lionel Andrés Messi, also known as Leo Messi, is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward for Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain and captains the Argentina national team.
2. LEBRON JAMES – $121.2 MILLION
![](https://10things.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Screenshot-2022-11-29-at-07.38.34.png)
LeBron Raymone James Sr. is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association. Nicknamed “King James”, he is widely considered one of the greatest players ever and is often compared to Michael Jordan in debates over the greatest basketball player of all time
3. CRISTIANO RONALDO – $115 MILLION
![](https://10things.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Screenshot-2022-11-29-at-07.41.40.png)
Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro GOIH ComM is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a forward and captains the Portugal national team. He is currently a free agent.
4. NEYMAR – $95 MILLION
![](https://10things.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Screenshot-2022-11-29-at-07.46.09.png)
Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior, known as Neymar, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain and the Brazil national team. A prolific goalscorer and renowned playmaker, he is regarded as one of the best players in the world
5. STEPHEN CURRY– $92.8 MILLION
![](https://10things.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Screenshot-2022-11-29-at-07.51.14.png)
Wardell Stephen Curry II is an American professional basketball player for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association
6. KEVIN DURANT -$92.1 MILLION
![](https://10things.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Screenshot-2022-11-29-at-07.52.55.png)
Kevin Wayne Durant, also known by his initials KD, is an American professional basketball player for the Brooklyn Nets of the National Basketball Association
7. ROGER FEDERER -$90.7 MILLION
![](https://10things.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Screenshot-2022-11-29-at-07.55.34.png)
Roger Federer is a Swiss former professional tennis player. He was ranked world No. 1 by the Association of Tennis Professionals for 310 weeks, including a record 237 consecutive weeks, and finished as the year-end No. 1 five times
8. CANELO ALVAREZ – $90 MILLION
![](https://10things.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Screenshot-2022-11-29-at-07.58.08.png)
Santos Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez Barragán is a Mexican professional boxer. He has won multiple world championships in four weight classes from light middleweight to light heavyweight, including unified titles in three of those weight classes and lineal titles in two.
9. TOM BRADY – $83.9 MILLION
![](https://10things.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Screenshot-2022-11-29-at-08.02.10.png)
Thomas Edward Patrick Brady Jr. is an American football quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He spent his first 20 seasons with the New England Patriots organization, with which he was a central contributor to the franchise’s dynasty from 2001 to 2019
10. GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO – $80.9 MILLION
![](https://10things.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Screenshot-2022-11-29-at-08.05.01.png)
Giannis Sina Ugo Antetokounmpo is a Greek-Nigerian professional basketball player for the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association. Antetokounmpo’s country of origin, in addition to his size, speed, strength, and ball-handling skills have earned him the nickname “Greek Freak”.