In recent years, we have seen a lot of big contracts given to athletes by their employers in the world of sports.

Different sports like Formula 1, football, basketball, tennis and others offer huge contracts to their athletes due to their performance and abilities.

The game of football of recent has overshadowed other sports in offering their players massive salaries.

Currently, football is where the money is at its most staggering levels, especially in Saudi Arabia where players earn twice as much as they earn in Europe.

With football leading in terms of contracts given to players, Pulse Sports takes a look at the top ten biggest contracts in the world of sports.

Top Ten Highest Earners in the World

1. Cristiano Ronaldo - £200 million
Ever since Cristiano Ronaldo fought his way out of Manchester United to go to Al-Nassr, money has been flowing freely throughout the Saudi Pro League.

With a deal worth an astounding £173 million annually, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner easily tops the list of athletes with the highest yearly salaries.

The Portuguese has made a massive change in the Saudi Pro League in terms of interest from fans around the world, and also in convincing other top-level stars to make the move.

2. Karim Benzema - £172 million
Benzema also made a move to the same club that signed N’golo Kante, with both players playing for the same team.

The Frenchman was also offered a massive contract for signing for Al-Ittihad and will earn a lesser amount than Cristiano Ronaldo

Karim Benzema, the reigning Ballon d'Or winner who left Real Madrid for the Middle East, will make £172 million annually.

3. N’golo Kante - £86.2 million
Chelsea former midfielder N'Golo Kante has also made his move to Saudi Arabia which has skyrocketed his earnings to £86.2 million.

The French international recently completed his move from Chelsea to Al-Ittihad and joined the ranks of the highest earners.

Kante's move to Saudi Arabia has displaced Lionel Messi in second position since his move to Inter Miami, USA.


4. Steph Curry - £42.8 million
Steph Curry is a popular basketball player that plays for Golden State Warriors in the NBA. He is well known for his three-point shooting range.

American professional basketball player is the highest-paid NBA player with an amount worth £42.8 million yearly.

Steph is one of the best basketball players in the world and he is also recognised as the best three-point shooter in the NBA.

5. Zach Lavine - £42.79 million
Zach Lavine is also a basketball player that earns a lot of money, playing for the Chicago Bulls in the NBA.

The NBA star player takes home an amount close to what Steph Curry earns in a year because he is the Chicago Bulls' best player.

Lavine pockets £42.79 million in a year, making him the second-highest-paid player in the NBA behind Curry.

6. Nikola Jokic - £42 million
Nikola Jokic is a professional basketball player that plays for the Denver Nuggets in the NBA.

He is considered as their best player in the past few seasons, winning the NBA Finals MVP and two-time league MVP.

Jokic currently earns a sum of £42m a year, just a little distance from Lavine and Steph Curry's annual salary.

7. Lamar Jackson - £41.4 million
Lamar Jackson is an NFL star that plays for Baltimore Ravens. He plays the position of quarterback for his team.

The NFL star also entered the list of highest earners in the world as he collects a huge sum every year.

Jackson currently earns a total of £41.4 million a year and he is the highest-paid NFL player in the world.

8. Jalen Hurts - £40.27 million
Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles is also an NFL player that plays the same position quarter-back as that of Lamar.

He is also one of the best NFL players in the world and earns a massive amount of money yearly.

Jalen's salary yearly is £40.27 million a bit below Lamar Jackson’s yearly payment and he is the second highest-paid NFL player.

9. Verstappen - £40 million
Verstappen is one of the best Formula One drivers right now and drives for the Red Bulls.

The Dutchman is the highest-paid Formula One driver in the world surpassing Lewis Hamilton.

The Formula One driver currently earns a total sum of £40 million per year above other drivers in the world.

10. Kelvin Durrant - £37.4 million
Kelvin Durrant is also a popular NBA star that plays for Phoenix Suns. He is a professional basketball player that is known for his skills.

The Phoenix Suns star also earns one of the highest salaries in the NBA and he is currently the best player in his team.

Durrant earns a sum of £37.4 million every year and makes our top ten list of highest-paid athletes in the world.

Source: Pulse Sports Nigeria

https://www.pulsesports.ng/football/story/revealed-top-10-biggest-contracts-in-sports-2023062421543666149