Roger Federer is the only tennis player among the top ten earners in sports

Roger Federer is ranked in the top spot in Forbes Magazine's annual earnings rankings. Serena Williams is the only woman in the top 100.

Wer gewinnt? Tippt jetzt!

18+ | Interwetten Gaming Ltd. MGA/B2C/110/2004 interwetten.com

© Getty Images

It remains to be seen whether the information about the superstars' annual income is actually accurate to the cent. Finally, the salaries of the athletes in the US professional leagues are understandable, which must be made public due to the team limits in football, basketball and ice hockey (and not so strictly in baseball). And of course the prize money for individual athletes, for example in golf or tennis.

In addition, there is, of course, advertising revenue - however, the exact extent of which is very rare to get reliable figures.

Messi and Ronaldo are in front

Every year, Forbes Magazine makes fun of listing the world's highest-income athletes - and at least four ATP Tour professionals plus Serena Williams (the 63rd only woman in the top 100) made it onto the list. Led by Roger Federer in fifth place are Novak Djokovic, Kei Nishikori and Rafael Nadal.

At the forefront, however, are three soccer players who benefit from the global (also advertising) power of their discipline: According to Forbes, Lionel Messi is number one worldwide, followed by Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar. In any case, the bottom line: After entry into the "best" 100 was only possible with an income of $ 25 million, it can also be lived very well as number 642 or higher.

Here are the top earners in sports according to Forbes Magazine