The Wealthiest Athletes in History: Ronaldo, Messi, Tyson, And Ali Among The Elite

Here is a compilation of the wealthiest athletes in history, including beloved icons such as Ronaldo, Messi, Tyson, and Ali.

The world of sports isn’t just limited to the number of titles achieved or the number of goals scored. When it comes to fame, the top tier of athletes with an ocean of fan followers can be ranked by their wealth, too.

In the past few decades, world famous athletes have crossed all boundaries by carving their names into the list of the world’s wealthiest people and families.

In this scrolling session, we’ll take a sneak peek into the wealthiest athletes of all time. And the best part is that everyone’s favorite sports stars – Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Mike Tyson, and Muhammad Ali – secured a distinctive place on this list.

Let’s jump right in.

10. Muhammad Ali, The Boxing Legend

When it’s the 20th century and you hear roaring cheers, they’re quiet often reserved for the master of the ring, Muhammad Ali. With his one of a kind boxing style, the flying butterfly tched his name in the hearts of millions when he first started conquering the ring.

With an estimated net worth of $50 million, the greatest boxer of all time wasn’t just famous for his knockouts – but also for his goodwill gestures, advocacy of peace, and humanitarian work.

His fighting style and cordial attitude are still respected all over the globe.

9. Mike Tyson, The Boxing Maverick

This list would not be complete if we didn’t include the beast of the ring, Mike Tyson. The youngest boxing heavyweight champion in history, Tyson’s ferocious style and deadly uppercuts earned him the title of “Iron Mike.”

With an approximate net worth of nearly $300 million, the boxing beast has proved his significance outside the ring too with his flourishing cannabis ventures and podcasts. Moreover, this knockout legend is widely appreciated for his philanthropic efforts and addiction recovery programs.

8. Cristiano Ronaldo, The Football Maestro

Next up is a maestro of the football field, a slayer of hearts, and a father of five, Cristiano Ronaldo.

This multifaceted repeat Ballon d’Or winner holds countless records, including the most goals scored of all time, leaving behind the God of football, Pele. After quite a bit of searching and digging, it was revealed that Ronaldo has a net worth of $500 million, and yes, we’re all familiar with his extra-luxurious lifestyle.

At the top of the list of the most followed celebrities of all time on Instagram, Cristiano Ronaldo is running successful business ventures and lucrative sponsorship deals with Nike. And a long circulating rumor holds that the Maestro charged $2 million for a famous chess picture with his on field rival Lionel Messi.

7. Lionel Messi, The Football Phenomenon

As hard as it is to defend the ball from Lionel Messi, it is even harder it is to keep track of the achievements of this football superstar. The dribbling master possesses a whopping net worth of $600 million, making him one of the wealthiest athletes alive.

Messi proved his worth at the very beginning of his career, and then he decided to win countless hearts with his signature hairstyle. The football virtuoso is widely known for his luxury lifestyle and successful business ventures, including a collaboration with Adidas and his own fashion line.

Lionel Messi fulfilled a long held dream of fellow football legend Diego Maradona, by winning the FIFA World Cup 2022 title.

6. Kobe Bryant, The Basketball Icon

Kobe Bryant is one of the most respected and wealthiest basketball icons globally, and a career with the Los Angeles Lakers spanning an impressive two decades enabled him to touch the highest peaks of fame.

With years of effort and hard work, court icon Kobe achieved a milestone with an estimated $600 million in net worth, but that’s the end of his achievements. His animated short film Dear Basketball won an Oscar, proving his ingenuity outside the court.

Bryant also founded Mamba Sports Academy, to nourish the raw talent of young enthusiasts.

5. Michael Schumacher, The Formula One Ace

In the list of the wealthiest athletes, it’s virtually impossible to miss the idol of many racing fans, Michael Schumacher.

The Master of Wheels has an estimated net worth of $600 million – and he could have been on top of the list if an unfortunate ski accident had not impacted his career. On top of conquering the track, remunerative deals with massive luxury automotive brands like Mercedes-Benz and Ferrari were substantial sources of his immense earnings.

4. Arnold Palmer, The Golf Icon

The further down the list, the bigger the sums of wealth – which brings us next to classical golf icon (and non alcoholic soft drink namesake) Arnold Palmer.

With an estimated net worth of $875 million, the golf star was beloved both on and off the course. In addition to his substantive successes in the world of golf, Arnold Palmer’s line of beverages bearing his name have added to his wealth and fortune.

Palmer still found time to foster charitable ventures, including a children’s hospital, earning him kudos and demonstrating a giving nature.

3. LeBron James, The Modern Day Basketball King

Kicking off the top three on the list is one of the wealthiest athletes of all time, LeBron James. James was never an ordinary player – advancing from high school prodigy to NBA hotshot – and he journeyed a long way to earn third place on the list.

With an estimated net worth of a mind boggling $1 billion, James has innumerable fans to go with his vast fortune. His investments in diverse business ventures like SpringHill Entertainment and Blaze Pizza reflects his entrepreneurial mindset.

2. Tiger Woods, The Golf Legend

Since we’ve crossed a billion dollar milestone, let’s continue with our list. Tiger Woods, the golfing legend who has secured second place, isn’t just famous for his extraordinary shots.

Possessing an estimated net worth of approximately $1.1 billion, the golf megastar is widely known for his philanthropic efforts and charity work. Brand partnerships with gigantic companies like Nike have contributed significantly to his fortune and fame.

1. Michael Jordan, The Basketball G.O.A.T

Basketball wizard Michael Jordan claimed the top spot on this list of athletic giants, which may come as no surprise. The Jordan brand, in partnership with Nike, played a pivotal role in building his empire.

With an empire and an estimated colossal net worth of $3.5 billion, Michael Jordan reigns as the king of the wealthiest athletes of all time (by a significant margin as well). The star of the Chicago Bulls (with six NBA Championships) proved that even in a competitive sport like basketball, dedication can take you beyond your wildest dreams.

These megastars didn’t just build their empire overnight; it took years of dedication and hard work. They faced numerous challenges, but all rose as warriors and secured their places in history.

Credits: Shaiman Saleem / TheRichest