Athletes are like superheroes. They can do outstanding as well as competitive feats, and they serve as inspiration for many. Though their revenue has been affected due to how pandemic affected sporting events, they still earn a handsome amount that many would only wish for. Here are the top-earning athletes of 2020 so far, according to Forbes:
Roger Federer
This is said to be the first time that a tennis player takes the top spot as the highest earning athlete. The Swiss tennis player has over $100 million in terms of endorsements, $106.3 million in commissions, and $6.3 million in winnings. He is currently ranked number 4 in men's single tennis and has won 20 Grand Slam singles titles, the most a male player got so far. Federer is best known for his all-court game because of his amazing shot-making and excellent footwork.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Coming in second is the Portuguese soccer star forward. This is most likely due to adjustments made when the coronavirus hit the world, and league plays were canceled earlier this year. He is regarded as one of the greatest soccer players of all time. Ronaldo dominated the Forbes' list back in 2016 and 2017 as the world's highest-paid athlete. ESPN named him the world's most famous athlete for four years: from 2016 until 2019. In 2014, Time listed him as one of the 100 most influential people in the world.
Lionel Messi
The third spot is another soccer icon from both Argentina and the Spanish national team. As Ronaldo, Messi is also considered as one of the best soccer players out there. He came out top as the highest-paid athlete in 2019 and was included in the list of 100 most influential people in the world by Times. Messi was also honored as the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year in 2020. This is the first time a soccer player and a team sports player won the said prestigious award.
Neymar
Born Neymar da Silva Santos Junior, he is the third soccer player to reach the top 4 highest-paid athletes for 2020. Neymar plays for the Brazil team as a forward, responsible for scoring goals. He has about $25 million worth of endorsements, $95.5 million in commissions, and $70.5 million winnings under his belt. Like Ronaldo and Messi, the Brazilian goal scorer also made it to Time's list of 100 most influential people globally. Neymar comes in third as the highest player to score goals, just behind Pelé and Ronaldo.
Lebron James
Though a controversial subject for debate, the famous basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers are considered this generation's Michael Jordan. He received four NBA Most Valuable Player Awards, three Finals Most Valuable Player Awards, and two gold medals in the Olympics. James is also popular outside basketball with numerous endorsements, book features, documentaries, television commercials, and even TV/film appearances. He is considered one of the most popular and most influential athletes in America to the point that he is often referred to as "the face of the NBA."
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