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There has been a drop in top athletes' earnings due to the current coronavirus pandemic. While football stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have been heavily affected, top sportsmen across various disciplines have also suffered financially because of the current situation.
However, popular athletes do not solely rely on their wages as far as their finances are concerned. Top brands offer significant deals to players to represent them, resulting in record deals that span over multiple years.
While basketball and football remain extremely popular sports, athletes like Tiger Woods and Roger Federer have transcended their particular sport and gained a global following. Without much ado, we look at the:
10 highest-paid athletes in the world.
#10 CARSON WENTZ- $59.1 million
American football player Carson Wentz ranks 10th in the list of highest-paid athletes in the world.
The quarterback is a highly-sought-after face by various well-known brands and was the second overall pick of the 2016 NFL draft. He holds various records for the Philadelphia Eagles, including completions and touchdowns.
The 27-year old Wentz earned $4 million from several endorsement deals and has taken home $55 million as salary and winnings. He is also renowned for his hunting ability, a hobby which he follows during the offseason.
#9 KIRK COUSINS- $60.5 million
The second and last American football player on this list, Kirk Cousins signed a $84 million contract as a free agent with the Minnesota Vikings in 2018, which at the time made him the highest-paid player on a per-year basis in NFL history.
The 32-year old made his name with the Washington Redskins before moving to the Minnesota Vikings, where he recently signed a new contract worth $66 million. His ability as a leader lent him the nickname "Captain Kirk" from the media, and he has signed various endorsement deals with known brands.
Cousins earned $2.5 million from endorsement deals while he also received $58 million as part of salary and winnings.
#8 TIGER WOODS- $62.3 million
One of the most famous modern athletes, Tiger Woods is regarded as one of the best golfers of all-time.
A dominant force in the sport in the 2000s, Woods won 13 of golf's major championships from 1999 to 2010. During this period, he was the top-ranked golfer from August 1999 to September 2004, and then June 2005 to October 2010.
Injuries issues and off-the-field controversies resulted in a decline in form, but the 44-year-old came back strongly to win the Masters in 2019. He earned €60 million from endorsements and $2.3 million from his salary and various winnings.
Also Read: 10 amazing players who spend more time on the bench than on the field
#7 KEVIN DURANT- $63.9 million
He may have missed the entire 2019-20 season due to an Achilles tendon rupture injury, but Kevin Durant remains one of the most famous basketball players of the modern time.
Durant joined Brooklyn Nets from the Golden State Warriors in 2019, signing a four-year, $164 million contract. Primarily a small forward, Durant's playmaking and scoring abilities are well-renowned. He is also a philanthropist; in 2013 he pledged $1 million to the American Red Cross for the victims of the 2013 Moore tornado.
The basketball player earned $35 million from various endorsement deals, and took home $28.9 million as part of his salary and winnings.
#6 STEPHEN CURRY- $74.4 million
Regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of the modern generation, Stephen Curry has been hailed by critics as the greatest shooter in NBA history.
A incredibly consistent three-point shooter, Curry is credited with having revolutionised the game with his regular three-point shots. He has been named the NBA Most Valuable Player twice and has won three NBA championships with the Golden State Warriors.
The 32-year old plays as the point guard for the Warriors. He made $44 million from his endorsement deals, while earning $30.4 million as his salary and his winnings.
#5 LeBRON JAMES- $88.2 million
Often hailed by many as the greatest basketball player of all-time, LeBron James is the third and final basketball player to feature in this list.
The 35-year old holds the all-time record for playoff points, comes third for all-time points and eighth for all-time assists. Currently plying his trade for the Los Angeles Lakers, James has had spells with Cleveland Cavaliers (twice) and Miami Heat.
One of the most popular athletes in the world, James took home $60 million from his endorsement deals, while his salary and winnings accounted for $28.2 million.
#4 NEYMAR Jr. - $95.5 million
One of the most recognizable faces in the world right now, Neymar is seen as one of the best players in the world.
Having begun his career with Santos, Neymar's European adventure began when he moved to Barcelona in 2013, enjoying a trophy-laden spell with the club and forming a feared attacking trident with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez. He moved to Paris Saint-Germain for €222 million in 2017, a world-record transfer fee.
The Brazil international is one of the most important players for the Parisien giants, and played a vital role in their run to the Champions League final last season. He made $25 million from his various endorsements, and took home $70.5 million as his salary/winnings.
Also Read: 5 world-class midfielders who do not get the credit they deserve
#3 LIONEL MESSI- $104 million
Arguably the greatest player to have graced a football field, Lionel Messi has been in the news quite a lot these days.
The diminutive forward is a product of the famed La Masia academy, going on to become the talisman of Barcelona. In a poor Barcelona side last season, Messi was the best passer, best creator as well as the best goalscorer; "Messidependencia" was well and truly in full flow.
It was revealed recently that Messi had decided to leave Barcelona this summer, after they were beaten 8-2 by Bayern Munich in the Champions League. He earned $32 million from his endorsement deals; while his salary and winnings accounted for $72 million.
#2 CRISTIANO RONALDO- $105 million
The one player who has given tough competition to Lionel Messi for some time now is Cristiano Ronaldo.
Like Messi, many argue that Cristiano Ronaldo is the greatest player of all-time; having enjoyed successes in England, Spain and now Italy. He is Real Madrid's all-time top goalscorer, and at the age of 35, continues to perform at an extremely high level for Juventus.
The Portuguese superstar has also tasted success at an international level, having won the Euros in 2016 with his country. Ronaldo took home $45 million from various endorsements and $60 million as his salary/winnings.
#1 ROGER FEDERER- $106.3 million
Regarded by many as the greatest tennis player of all-time, Roger Federer comes first in this list of 10 highest-paid athletes in the world.
The 39-year old continues to a strong performer at the highest level, showing incredible fitness and longevity. Federer has won 20 Grand Slam titles, the most in the history for a male player, and has held the world no.1 position for a record total of 310 weeks.
The Swiss superstar's charm and grace have made him an extremely popular figure off-the-field, and resulted in various brand deals. He made an incredible $100 million simply from endorsements, and took home $6.3 million as his salary and winnings.
Note: Figures have been taken from Forbes
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