What if the biggest salaries in sports were paid in Bitcoin?

Have you ever imagined how much each highest-paid athlete in the world would earn if their salaries were paid in Bitcoin? With million-dollar contracts and high-value advertising deals, these sports phenomena have accumulated impressive fortunes. With the cryptocurrency quoted at US$95,700 at the time of writing this article, these athletes’ earnings would take on a new digital dimension.

The relationship between athletes and Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies

In recent years, Bitcoin has been seen as a viable alternative to the traditional financial system, being adopted by athletes, clubs and sports leagues. The volatility of the cryptocurrency, however, can directly affect the actual amount received. Thus, making this type of payment a high-risk, high-return bet.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo leads with 2,716 BTC

The top of the list is occupied by Cristiano Ronaldo, star of Al-Nassr, who accumulated US$ 260 million in salaries and prizes in 2024. If he received it in Bitcoin, his amount would be equivalent to approximately 2,716 BTC. Interestingly, Ronaldo already has experience in the crypto sector, having entered into a partnership with Binance to launch NFT collections.

2. Stephen Curry and his digital fortune in Bitcoin

Second place belongs to Stephen Curry, point guard for the Golden State Warriors, who earned US$ 153.8 million in salaries. Converting to Bitcoin, this would represent approximately 1,607 BTC. In addition, Curry has also shown interest in the crypto universe, being an ambassador for the FTX exchange before its collapse.

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3. Tyson Fury and his boxing earnings

British boxer Tyson Fury, third on the list, received US$147 million, which in Bitcoin is equivalent to around 1,536 BTC. The boxer’s relationship with cryptocurrencies is not yet widely documented, but other athletes in the field have already flirted with digital payments.

4. Lionel Messi and his global impact

Lionel Messi, star of Inter Miami, earned US$135 million in salary, which would be around 1,410 BTC. Messi has already promoted blockchain and NFT projects and, when signing with Inter Miami, part of his contract included payments in cryptocurrencies through the Socios.com platform.

5. LeBron James and his connection to blockchain

LeBron James, star of the Los Angeles Lakers, received US$ 133.2 million, equivalent to 1,391 BTC. The player has a partnership with Crypto.com, where he participates in educational programs about blockchain for students. Although he does not receive directly in crypto, he has already shown support for the sector.

6. Neymar and his investments in NFTs

Neymar, who returned to Santos, earned US$ 133 million, totaling around 1,389 BTC. The Brazilian is a crypto market enthusiast and has already invested heavily in NFTs, owning exclusive collections from the Bored Ape Yacht Club.

7. Oleksandr Usyk and how much his boxing earnings are worth in Bitcoin

World boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk earned US$ 122 million, which corresponds to approximately 1,274 BTC. Although it has no direct involvement with cryptocurrencies, boxing has attracted initiatives in the sector, including digital payments and prizes.

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8. Karim Benzema and his presence in the digital world

Karim Benzema, Al-Ittihad striker, has accumulated US$ 116 million, equivalent to 1,212 BTC. The French player has already explored the NFT market and has sponsorship contracts with companies that operate in the crypto sector.

9. Kylian Mbappé and his financial rise

Kylian Mbappé, Real Madrid star, earned US$ 110 million, which would be around 1,149 BTC. Despite not yet having significant contracts in the crypto sector, Mbappé has attracted brands focused on technology and innovation.

10. Jon Rahm and the digital presence of golf

Jon Rahm, one of the biggest names in world golf, earned US$105.8 million, which corresponds to 1,105 BTC. Currently, golf has attracted blockchain initiatives, and some competitions have already tested prizes in cryptocurrencies.

Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies in sports

Finally, more and more athletes are receiving part of their salaries or sponsorship deals in cryptocurrencies. As the digital market grows, the trend is for payments in Bitcoin to become more common, thus expanding the influence of cryptocurrencies in global sports. However, BTC’s volatility may be a deciding factor for many players who prefer the security of fiat currencies.

However, with the advance of tokenization and institutional adoption, the sports payments landscape may change radically in the coming years. If Bitcoin consolidates itself as a store of value, the number of athletes receiving crypto payments may increase. Therefore, redefining the future of sports salaries.