He tops the list as the first professional athlete to surpass $1 billion in total career income (since 2020). His financial influence is anchored in a lifetime contract with Nike and multiple sponsorship deals, along with extensive investments in hotels, clothing, accessories, and fitness centers, supported by a massive global fan base of approximately one billion followers across social media platforms.

The Argentine star, an eight-time Ballon d'Or winner and a professional at Inter Miami since 2023 with the option to acquire a stake in the club, owns a clothing line and a store in Barcelona since 2019, and maintains a long-standing partnership with Adidas.

An exceptional global marketing phenomenon, $125 million of his income comes from sponsorship deals alone. The Japanese star is linked to more than 20 major brands, spanning Japanese companies (such as Seiko Watch and Kose) and American ones (such as New Balance and Fanatics).

The first NBA player to have a salary exceeding $50 million (in the 2023–2024 season). Sponsorships constitute more than half of his earnings ($65 million).

The 2022 Ballon d'Or winner climbed the wage list after moving to Saudi club Al-Ittihad in June 2023, ranking eighth worldwide and third among football players behind Ronaldo and Messi.

The 7-time world champion in his second season with Ferrari, profits outside the track constitute 30 percent of his income. The 41-year-old Briton is an attractive commercial face and invested in the Denver Broncos team of the NFL in 2022.