Neymar Jr.

Neymar Jr. commands the fifth-highest earnings in global sports, pulling in an estimated $113 million in 2025 despite missing most of the season recovering from an ACL tear. His Al Hilal contract, signed in 2023 at $160 million per year, ensured a guaranteed base even while injured, placing him $13 million ahead of #6 Steph Curry. Additional income streams include his Puma boot endorsement, Red Bull partnership, and Brazilian business ventures like the Neymar Jr. Institute, which together contribute roughly $20 million annually. This resilience underscores his unmatched marketability, outperforming the average athlete's post-injury earnings drop by over 80%.