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Top 5 highest-paid athletes in 2020

2019-20 experienced great achievements across all sports, and some stars continue to shine brighter than ours. Loved by millions, check the Top-5 highest-paid athletes in 2020.

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Miguel Prazeres
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Roger Federer

SHANGHAI, CHINA - OCTOBER 06: (CHINA OUT) Roger Federer of Switzerland attends a Rolex function prior to the 2012 Rolex Shanghai Masters on October 6, 2012 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Visual China Group via Getty Images/Visual China Group via Getty Images)

2019-20 experienced great achievements across all sports, and some stars continue to shine brighter than ours. Loved by millions, check the Top-5 highest-paid athletes in 2020.

LeBron James -  $176.4m

LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after his basket and LA Clippers foul during a 112-103 Lakers win at Staples Center on March 08, 2020 in Los Angeles, California.
LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after his basket and LA Clippers foul during a 112-103 Lakers win at Staples Center on March 08, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Harry How/Getty Images

In his second season with the Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James is pretty much the face of the NBA and the most renowned basketball player in the world. At 35, LeBron still plays at a stellar level, leading a team that is one of the main contenders to get the NBA ring this season. The NBA is still assessing the best format to get competition back, and "The King" for sure will be there to claim his spot as the best of the best.

Earnings: $88.2m
Endorsements: $60m
Salary/Winnings: $28.2m

Neymar - $191.0m

Neymar Jr of Paris Saint-Germain looks on before the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund at Parc des Princes on March 11, 2020 in Paris, France.
Neymar Jr of Paris Saint-Germain looks on before the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund at Parc des Princes on March 11, 2020 in Paris, France. Photo by Aurelien Meunier - PSG/PSG via Getty Images

It's no surprise seeing Neymar so high in the highest-paid athlete list in 2020. The Brazillian superstar holds the title of the most expensive player in football history and he's the second most followed player on social media. That explains the enormous amount Neymar earns through endorsements.

Earnings: $95.5m
Endorsements: $25m
Salary/Winnings: $70.5m

Lionel Messi - $208.0m

Lionel Messi #10 of Barcelona salutes the fans after scoring from the penalty spot during the Barcelona V Real Sociedad, La Liga regular season match at Estadio Camp Nou on March 7th 2020 in Barcelona, Spain. Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images
Lionel Messi #10 of Barcelona salutes the fans after scoring from the penalty spot during the Barcelona V Real Sociedad, La Liga regular season match at Estadio Camp Nou on March 7th 2020 in Barcelona, Spain. Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images

Witnessing Messi's talent worths every penny, and the Argentinian deserves the huge fortune he gets every single year. Together with Ronaldo, Messi rules a dynasty in football in the last 10/15 years, at a level that is still far above everyone else.

Earnings: $104m
Endorsements: $32m
Salary/Winnings: $72m

Cristiano Ronaldo - $210.0m

Juventus player Cristiano Ronaldo reacts during a training session at JTC on May 29, 2020 in Turin, Italy. Photo by Daniele Badolato - Juventus FC/Juventus FC via Getty Images
Juventus player Cristiano Ronaldo reacts during a training session at JTC on May 29, 2020 in Turin, Italy. Photo by Daniele Badolato - Juventus FC/Juventus FC via Getty Images

The most popular player on social media, Ronaldo's name simply just moves mountains. In his second season with Juventus, Ronaldo's arrival at Turin proved how big he is. Half-million shirts in just 24 hours give you a picture of how valuable he is.

Earnings: $105m
Endorsements: $45m
Salary/Winnings: $60m

Roger Federer - $212.6m

Roger Federer poses for a photo on the black court at La Rotonde ahead of The Laver Cup Press Conference on February 08, 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland. Photo by Christopher Lee/Getty Images for The Laver Cup
Roger Federer poses for a photo on the black court at La Rotonde ahead of The Laver Cup Press Conference on February 08, 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland. Photo by Christopher Lee/Getty Images for The Laver Cup

To say that Roger Federer simply doubles the amount of Ronaldo's endorsement earnings just shows the status of the best player tennis sports have ever seen. Somehow like LeBron James in basketball, age simply turns Roger better and he's still one of the best players in the world. Federer earns the title of the highest-paid athlete in 2020.

Earnings: $106.3m
Endorsements: $100m
Salary/Winnings: $6.3m

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Football Tennis Messi Ronaldo Neymar Lebron James NBA Cristiano Federer