The world’s highest paid athletes under 25 years old have been revealed

The five highest-paid athletes in the world 25 and under have been revealed, with two footballing stars featuring on the list.

Forbes are known for collating the rich list each year but they have delved into the depths of 'Generation Z' talent and their earnings.

The American outlet crunched all the data from between May 1, 2022, and May 1, 2023, including on and off the field earnings, including prize money, salary, bonuses, sponsorship, appearance fees and more.

Interest payments are not accounted for but figures from equity stakes athletes have sold are, with the list made up of two footballers, one NBA star, a NFL player and Formula One sensation.

5.Luka Doncic - $47.2 million

First on the list is Dallas Mavericks star Doncic, who signed a contract extension worth $207 million over five years in 2021.

The 24-year-old NBA player has earned a total of $47.2 million, made up of $37.2 million on-field and $10 million away from the court, and has his own signature show with Nike's Jordan sub-brand.

4.Erling Haaland - $52 million

Manchester City and Norway goal machine Haaland has debuted on the Forbes' highest-paid athletes list this year, coming in at 32nd in the rankings.

Image: Getty

The 23-year-old, who scored 52 goals and shattered records aplenty in City's treble-winning campaign last term, is becoming one of the most marketable players in the world and features on the front cover of this year's EA Sports FC game.

He collected $52 million, of which $40 million come from earnings related to his heroics on the pitch.

3.Max Verstappen - $64 million

Verstappen is absolutely running riot in Formula One and is earning a healthy amount of money while doing so. The Red Bull driver, a two-time world champion, is said to have earned a cool $64 million, the majority of which is from his lucrative racing contract.

2.Kyler Murray - $70.5 million

Arizona Cardinals Murray quarterback penned a five-year extension worth up to $230.5 million in the summer of 2022. A staggering $29 million signing-on bonus was paid out to the 25-year old, who also makes a pretty penny from his work with esports giants FAZE Clan.

1.Kylian Mbappe - $120 million

Paris Saint-Germain and France superstar takes the top spot by a landslide. In a 12 month period, his total earnings had an incredible $78 million increase and he was ahead of NBA superstars LeBron James and Steph Curry in the overall list when it was released.

Image: Getty

Mbappe has an eye-watering wage at PSG, while his endorsements include Nike, Dior and Sorare, a fantasy sport cryptocurrency-based game.

Topics: Max Verstappen, Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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