Lionel Messi won the World Sportsman of the Year Award at the Laureus Sports Awards 2023 held in Paris. He also collected another award as part of Team of the Year for Argentina's victory at the FIFA World Cup last year. Jamaican sprinter Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce won the Sportswoman of the Year award on her sixth nomination.

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Laureus Sport Awards 2023: Every Winner

This is Messi's second individual title after sharing the honour with Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton in 2020. He also became the first athlete to win the individual and team awards in the same year.

"I was looking at the names of the incredible legends that won the Laureus Sportsman of the Year Award before me: Schumacher, Woods, Nadal, Federer, Bolt, Hamilton, Djokovic… it really sunk in what unbelievable company I'm in and what a unique honour this is," the Argentine said.

History maker! Lionel Messi is the first ever athlete to win the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year and Laureus World Team of the Year Awards in the same year.#Laureus23 pic.twitter.com/WJeaBghAMA

— Laureus (@LaureusSport) May 8, 2023

Fraser-Pryce's exploits last year included winning the 100-meter gold at the World Athletics Championships for a staggering fifth time. She has won three Olympic and 10 world championship gold medals. Fraser-Pryce called her award "one of the greatest honours of my career."

🏆 @realshellyannfp is the 2023 Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year.

The Mommy Rocket extended her phenomenal legacy on the track last year by winning a fifth @WorldAthletics 100m title and a fifth @Diamond_League trophy. #Laureus23 pic.twitter.com/JLoNN23qPu

— Laureus (@LaureusSport) May 8, 2023

• Tennis player Carlos Alcaraz won the US Open last year as a teenager and climbed to the top of the ranks. He was honoured with the Breakthrough of the Year award.

• The Sport for Good Award was presented to TeamUp – a programme for children displaced by war – by Barcelona and Poland star Robert Lewandowski.

• Meanwhile, Chinese-American Olympic ski freestyle champion Eileen Gu won the World Action Sportsperson accolade.

• Denmark and Manchester United star Christian Eriksen earned a Comeback Award. He returned to the top of the European game after collapsing with cardiac arrest during the Euros two years ago.

• Swiss para-athlete sensation Catherine Debrunner meanwhile picked up the Disability Award after triumphing in her opening two marathons

The Laureus World Sports Awards were held in person in Paris for the first time since 2020. They were held virtually on account of the coronavirus pandemic.

Hello and welcome to our LIVE blog coverage of the highly anticipated La Liga clash between Levante and FC Barcelona for the 2025-26 season.

I’m Barnali Debnath, bringing you minute-by-minute updates, expert commentary, and all the latest news from this exciting encounter.

Both teams are eager to make a strong statement early in the campaign, with Levante aiming to leverage their home advantage and Barcelona looking to assert their dominance with their star-studded lineup.

Stay tuned here for live scores, tactical insights, key moments, and post-match analysis as the drama unfolds on the pitch.

Whether you’re a die-hard supporter or a neutral fan, this is your go-to spot for comprehensive coverage of Levante vs FC Barcelona!

In 2025, some of the world’s top athletes are earning huge amounts of money through their sports, brand deals and businesses. These athletes come from football, basketball, golf and other popular games. Their earnings include salaries, match winnings and endorsements from big companies. Let’s take a look at the top 10 highest-paid athletes in the world and see how much they are earning.

Also Read: Women in Sports: Highest-paid women athletes in the world [2025]

10 Highest-Paid Athletes in the World

10. Kevin Durant | $101.4M

Kevin Durant’s Suns may not have made the playoffs, but his financial game stayed elite. His total earnings combine a $51.4 million salary with $50 million in off-court earnings through Boardroom Media and investments in Paris Saint-Germain.

He even has a soon-to-debut Netflix docuseries. His tequila brand, real estate moves, and a collaboration with Fanatics round out a sharp portfolio.

9. Shohei Ohtani | $102.5M

Though his Dodgers salary is deferred, Shohei Ohtani still walked away with $2.5 million in earnings plus postseason bonuses. But the reason he made it to this top-earners list is his headlining brand power.

Out of the total $102.5 million, $100 million came from endorsement deals across Japan and the U.S. That includes New Balance, Seiko, Beats by Dre, and a record-breaking Topps trading card sale.

8. Karim Benzema | $104M

The first footballer to enter the top 10, and for the 2022 Ballon d'Or winner, most of Karim Benzema's earnings have come from his hefty salary from his contract with Al-Ittihad, where he earns over $2 million a week, resulting in a $100 million annual salary. 

Sponsors like Adidas remain loyal, even as he embraces a quieter lifestyle far from the European spotlight. Rumors now swirl about a possible shift to Major League Soccer as the 2026 World Cup nears.

7. Juan Soto | $114M

Juan Soto shattered expectations after signing a jaw-dropping 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets, even by baseball’s high-spending standards. His on-field take hit $109 million. And thanks to the buzz he generated, the Mets’ ticket sales surged following his signing. 

At just 26, Juan’s popularity and endorsements by the likes of Call of Duty and top Dominican brands have made him baseball’s financial poster boy, earning $114 million this year.

6. LeBron James | $133.8M

LeBron James has amassed $133.8M, appearing in the sixth position. After more than two decades in the NBA spotlight, LeBron is still making history, not just on the court but also in his bank account.

While his Lakers stint earned him $48.8 million in salary, the larger story is off-court. His production company, SpringHill, is scaling up through a major merger, and he inked a deal to become the first athlete turned Ken doll.

5. Lionel Messi | $135M

Although he is the second-highest paid soccer player, Lionel Messi only ranks as the fifth-highest paid athlete. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner brought home $135 million.

To millions of people, Messi will forever be soccer’s GOAT. Naturally, his arrival in Major League Soccer wasn’t a mere player acquisition for Inter Miami but a transformative event for the league’s global standing. While his $60 million salary is a substantial figure, his endorsements with Adidas and Apple, alongside his own Mas+ beverage, earn him even more, around $75 million.

Also Read: 20 Highest-Paid Footballers in Saudi Pro League History

4. Dak Prescott | $137M

Dak Prescott, American professional football quarterback who plays for the Dallas Cowboys, earns $137 million this year. This quarterback-turned-financial-play-caller knows how to read a market as well as a defense. 

First, Prescott made history with a contract structure that paid him $127 million in salary and bonuses within 12 months. Next were endorsements with Jordan Brand and Lowe’s that added another $10 million to his name. He’s also building a gym empire in Texas via Crunch Fitness partnerships.

3. Tyson Fury | $146M

Boxer Tyson Fury claimed third place with $146 million. Despite losing his world heavyweight titles to Oleksandr Usyk in December, Fury's income has been boosted by partnerships promoting Maltese tourism and his Netflix reality show named “At Home With the Furys.”

2. Stephen Curry | $156M

Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry comes 2nd on the list of highest-paid athletes of the year, earning $156 million. Curry became the first NBA player to reach 4,000 career three-pointers in March this year. 

Of Curry's $156 million haul, $100 million comes from off-court dealings, including a major extension with Under Armour’s Curry Brand. He’s invested in everything from hydration startups to women’s basketball leagues. On the hardwood, he still drains threes while mentoring future stars at Davidson, where he now serves as an assistant GM.

Also Read: Most International Goals by Active Players (2025)

1. Cristiano Ronaldo | $275M

For the third year in a row, and the fifth time overall, Cristiano Ronaldo is the world’s highest-paid athlete. At age 40, the Portuguese soccer superstar is reaching new highs.

Over the past 12 months, counting both his playing salary at Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr and his off-field business endeavors, Ronaldo collected an estimated $275 million before taxes and agent fees - the third-best year by an active athlete ever measured by Forbes. On that all-time list, Ronaldo is surpassed only by boxer Floyd Mayweather, who earned $300 million in 2015 and $285 million in 2018.

The US Open Championships is one of the oldest tennis championships in the world. It is also known as the U.S. National Championship. It is a hardcourt tennis tournament held annually in Queens, New York.

The tournament first started in 1987, which consisted of five primary championships: men's and women's singles, men's and women's doubles, and mixed doubles. The tournament has been chronologically the fourth and final Grand Slam tournament of the year. The other three are the Australian Open, French Open, and Wimbledon. 

Jannik Sinner defeated Taylor Fritz in the US Open 2024 final to become the first male player from Italy to clinch the title. Moreover, the 23-year-old Italian star also becomes just the second US Open Men's Singles champion to be born after the year 2000. Only Carlos Alcaraz has managed to achieve the feat before him in 2022.

So, are you ready for the final Grand Slam of the season? With just a few days to go until the start of this year's tournament, let's have a look at the men's US Open champion list from the last 10 years.

Also Read: US Open 2025 Schedule, Fixture and Streaming Details

1. 2015 US Open Champion | Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic once again became a hindrance to Roger Federer's record 18th Grand Slam win. The 34-year-old Federer once again reached the final and lost the title battle and that too to Djokovic in US Open 2015. It was Federer's second defeat at the hands of Djokovic in the final in New York.

Djokovic defeated Federer 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 in a rain-stopped title fight. This was Djokovic's third Grand Slam win in 2015. Earlier, he had won the Australian Open and Wimbledon.

2. 2016 US Open Champion | Stan Wawrinka

Stan Wawrinka made a big upset in the final of the US Open 2016 to capture his third Grand Slam title. Third seed Wawrinka defeated top seed Novak Djokovic to win the US Open title for the first time. Swiss tennis player defeated defending champion Djokovic in the final, 6-7 (1/7), 6-4, 7-5, 6-3, over 12-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic in a match that lasted nearly four hours.

With this win, Wawrinka took the number of her Grand Slam titles to three. Prior to this, Wawrinka won the Australian Open in 2014 and the French Open in 2015. Moreover, after the win, Wawrinka became the oldest player to win the US Open in 46 years. Earlier, Pete Sampras won the US Open at the age of 30.

3. 2017 US Open Champion | Rafael Nadal

Spain's Rafael Nadal, the world's number one male tennis player, proved his dominance in the US Open 2017 by capturing the title. Nadal defeated Kevin Anderson of South Africa 6-3, 6-4 in the final in New York. This was Nadal's 16th Grand Slam title.

Nadal had previously won the US Open in 2010 and 2013 as well. Nadal has also won the French Open 10 times (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017), Wimbledon twice (2008, 2010) and the Australian Open (2009).

4. 2018 US Open Champion | Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic defeated Juan Martin del Potro to win his third US Open title and equaled Pete Sampras' 14 Grand Slam titles. Novak Djokovic, who played the US Open final for the eighth time, won by 6.3, 7.65, 6.3.

Djokovic has also won titles here in 2011 and 2015 and was three behind Rafael Nadal and six behind Roger Federer in terms of Grand Slam titles. The Serbian player did not play the previous year due to an elbow injury. Djokovic also won the Wimbledon title that year.

Also Read: US Open 2025: Stars to Watch Out– Youth vs Experience

5. 2019 US Open Champion | Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal defeated Daniil Medvedev 7-5, 6-3, 5-7, 4-6, 6-4 to win the US Open 2019 title for the fourth time in a marathon match of five sets that lasted almost five hours.

With this win, Nadal captured the 19th title of his career and the fourth title of the US Open. Prior to this, he won the US Open title in 2010, 2013, and 2017. It was his second Grand Slam title that year. Nadal also won the French Open that year.

6. 2020 US Open Champion | Dominic Thiem

The US Open 2020 got its new champion after six years. Germany's Alexander Zverev and Austria's Dominic Thiem both reached the finals of the US Open for the first time. Dominic Thiem defeated Alexander Zverev 2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (6) in the final match of the men's category at the US Open 2020 to capture the title for the first time. It was the first time, the winner was decided through a tiebreaker.

It was also the first time in sixteen years, that the Big Three (Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic) were not included in the Grand Slam semi-finals. Rafael Nadal did not participate because of the Corona epidemic. Federer is on rest after two knee operations while Djokovic was ruled out for inadvertently hitting a line judge in the pre-quarters.

7. 2021 US Open Champion | Daniil Medvedev

In a match that lasted 2 hours and 16 minutes, Daniil Medvedev defeated Novak Djokovic 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in straight sets. This was the first Grand Slam title of the Russian tennis star. Medvedev won that match 6-4, 6-4, 6-4. With this first big win, he washed away many of Novak Djokovic's dreams.

If Novak Djokovic had won the US Open 2021 title, he would have been the first male player to win the career Grand Slam after 52 years. The world number one Serbian tennis star had captured all three of the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and French Open that year. But, Medvedev became an obstacle for him on the way to the US Open.

8. 2022 US Open Champion | Carlos Alcaraz

The 19-year-old, Carlos Alcaraz has become the second youngest player in the Open Era after American great Pete Sampras. Pete Sampras won the US Open title in 1990 at the age of 19. Alcaraz defeated Casper Ruud to win his first Grand Slam title at the US Open 2022. The tournament has got the youngest champion after 32 years.

Carlos defeated Casper Ruud of Norway 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(1), 6-3 in the final of the US Open 2022 to win his first Grand Slam title and become the world number one player for the first time. With this win, Alcaraz has replaced Daniil Medvedev of Russia to take the number one spot.

9. 2023 US Open Champion | Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic clinched his fourth US Open men's singles title, defeating Daniil Medvedev in the US Open 2023 final. After that, he has equaled Margaret Court's all-time record of 24 Grand Slam titles. With Roger Federer retired and Rafael Nadal planning to step away after the next season, the era of the 'Big Three' in tennis may be fading, but Djokovic, the last member of that triumvirate, proved his enduring prowess.

Moreover, the 36-year-old matched Nadal's 22 major titles in Australia and claimed the men's record by winning the Roland Garros. A loss to Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon made Djokovic ponder a generational shift but his victories in Cincinnati and at Flushing Meadows reaffirmed his dominance in men's tennis for the time being.

Also Read: US Open Champion: Last 10 years (Women)

10. 2024 US Open Champion | Jannik Sinner

World No.1 tennis player Jannik Sinner won the US Open 2024 men's singles title. The Italian star defeated America's Taylor Fritz 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 in the final. He becomes the first male player from Italy to win the US Open title. In 2015, Italy's Flavia Pennetta won the women's singles title. with this win, Sinner also managed to double his lead to number one in the ATP rankings.

It is the 23-year-old's second Grand Slam title. Sinner also won the Australia Open in early 2024. Sinner has also reached the semi-finals of this year's French Open and the quarter-finals of Wimbledon. He becomes just the second US Open Men's Singles champion to be born after the year 2000. Only Carlos Alcaraz has managed to achieve the feat before him in 2022.

Cristiano Ronaldo might be playing in Saudi Arabia these days, but he's still racking up records in Portuguese colours. Among male footballers, Ronaldo holds the record for most international goals of all time, as part of his enduring pursuit of titles and records. The 40-year-old also has most international appearances in the history of men's football after playing his 200th game for Portugal in June 2023. 

In this article, we'll look at the active football players with the most international goals.

Also Read: Messi vs Ronaldo: Who has scored the most non-penalty goals?

Most International Goals by Active Players (2025)

10. Edin Dzeko | 68 goals

Edin Dzeko is one of the most underrated strikers of his generation. The Inter Milan marksman is 39 years old but is still going strong. He has won the 'Bosnian Footballer of the Year' award three successive times in his career.

Dzeko has been quite prolific for his national team. He has scored 68 goals and provided 21 assists in his international career so far.

9. Harry Kane | 73 goals

Captain Harry Kane became the first player to score two goals on his 100th appearance for England. The striker scored his 67th and 68th international goals in the second half of the Nations League at Wembley over Finland, thundering an excellent strike in off the underside of the bar, then curling in a neat finish.

He also became just the third player to score on his 100th England appearance, after Wayne Rooney (versus Slovenia in 2014) and Bobby Charlton (against Northern Ireland in 1970).

Before kick-off, Kane was presented with a golden cap to mark the achievement, and also wore golden boots during the match.

8. Luis Suarez | 69 goals

Uruguay international Luis Suarez has had an illustrious career. He won the European Golden Shoe twice in the last decade and is widely regarded as one of the best centre-forwards of the 21st century.

Suarez, who recently led Uruguay to World Cup qualification, has scored 68 goals in his international career.

7. Neymar | 79 goals

Neymar Jr. is one of the most talented footballers we have seen in the 21st century. He is a joy to watch on the football pitch and is capable of producing moments of magic on a regular basis.

Neymar is one of the most innovative forwards of the modern era. He has been absolutely phenomenal for Brazil and is now surpassed Pele's goalscoring record for Brazil (77). Neymar has scored 79 goals and for the Brazilian national team so far in his career.

6. Robert Lewandowski | 85 goals

Robert Lewandowski is currently the most prolific goalscorer in Europe's top five leagues. The Bayern Munich striker has played some of the best football of his career in recent seasons.

Lewandowski has been a cut above the rest of his national teammates throughout his career. He has been a standout performer for Poland in recent years. The 36-year-old has scored 85 goals for Poland in international football.

Also Read: Top 12 players with most hat-tricks in football in the 21st century

5. Ali Mabkhout | 85 goals

Al Jazira and UAE legend Ali Mabkhout is a clinical finisher and as well as being one of his club's best scorers. However, he is also the United Arab Emirates' top international scorer of all time. He has a total of 85 international goals to his name. 

During the 2019 AFC Asian Cup quarter-finals, Mabkhout netted the only goal in a 1–0 victory over defending champions Australia, which helped his country qualify for the semi-finals. Mabkhout scored a hat-trick against Indonesia in a 5–0 win in 2019 to become UAE's all-time leading goalscorer.

4. Romelu Lukaku | 89 goals

Romelu Lukaku has been a beast in attack for Belgium's golden generation. He has consistently produced the goods for his star-studded national team and continues to do so.

Lukaku's form at club level may have fluctuated but he has maintained high standards in international football. The 32-year-old has scored 89 goals in his international career so far.

3. Sunil Chhetri | 95 goals

Sunil Chhetri is regarded as one of the best football players India has ever produced. In a career spanning over two decades, the centre-forward has won many individual as well as team accolades.

With 95 goals to his name in 154 international appearances, Chhetri is the third highest goal-scorer in international matches, only behind Portuguese ace Cristiano Ronaldo, and Lionel Messi of Argentina.

Also Read: Every Indian Team Football Coach Since 1948

Since Sunil Chhetri’s first senior professional goal for Mohun Bagan in the National Football League season (2002-03), the Indian football great has notched up many goal-scoring feats for both club and country.

2. Lionel Messi | 112 goals 

Lionel Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers, has had a remarkable international career with Argentina. Messi, with 112 international goals, ranks second on the all-time top goal-scorers list, trailing only Ronaldo. Since his debut in 2005, Messi has earned 189 caps, leading Argentina to victories in the Copa America and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Argentina and Inter Miami star Lionel Messi can still catch Ronaldo for the record, if he plays on through to the 2026 World Cup and perhaps beyond.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo | 138 goals

Cristiano Ronaldo holds the world record for international goals, scoring 138 for Portugal since making his debut in 2003. He is also the all-time leading appearance-maker in men's international football, having played 221 games, eclipsing the previous record of 196 held by Kuwait's Bader Al-Mutawa against Liechtenstein on 23 March 2023, and marking the occasion with two goals. He has hit ten international hat-tricks, a record he shares with Lionel Messi.

Also Read: Every Manchester United records that may never be broken

Ronaldo broke the world record for international goals when he scored twice against the Republic of Ireland in Portugal's European Qualifier in Faro-Loulé on 1 September 2021, aged 36. He surpassed the existing world-record mark set by former Iran forward Ali Daei, the first man to claim a century of international goals. Lionel Messi joined the elite group on 28 March 2023.

We’re gearing up for the final Grand Slam of the season as the world’s best tennis stars head to New York for the US Open 2025. The tournament is staged at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre in Flushing Meadows, the largest tennis complex in the world.

Boasting an impressive 33 courts, including the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium, the world-class facility has been home to the US Open every year since 1978 and is located in the heart of New York City.

So, before the start of the final Grand Slam of the year, let's have a look some of the star players, on whom everyone's eyes will be on.

Also Read: Women in Sports: Highest-paid women athletes in the world [2025]

US Open 2025: Stars to Watch Out

Carlos Alcaraz

Winning five trophies and nearly flawless performance in 48 of 54 games, Carlos Alcaraz has stunned in the 2025 season. However, on July 13 in London at Wimbledon, world number one Jannik Sinner defeated Alcaraz 4‑6, 6‑4, 6‑4, 6‑4 to win his first Wimbledon title and his fourth Grand Slam overall.

Now Alcaraz opted out of the Canadian Open in Toronto (July 27–Aug 7) to recover from minor muscle issues and focus on training for the US Open starting August 24. Alcaraz will even out their year-to-date tally and avenge his Wimbledon loss.

Jannik Sinner

Jannik Sinner returned to action strongly this season. After a runner-up finish to Carlos Alcaraz at Roland Garros, he defeated the Spaniard to win his maiden Wimbledon title earlier this month. With a Grand Slam title under his belt and renewed momentum, Sinner will look to carry his form into the US hard-court season, where his previous best at the US Open was a quarterfinal finish in 2022. 

The return of Ferrara could provide the stability and familiarity Sinner needs as he aims to build on his breakthrough year. Sinner has also reappointed his former fitness coach, Umberto Ferrara, as quick as he begins preparations for the US Open.

Coco Gauff

Coco Gauff achieved a career-defining moment at the 2023 US Open, winning her maiden Grand Slam singles title. As a 19-year-old American, she delighted the home crowd by defeating Aryna Sabalenka in a thrilling three-set final (2-6, 6-3, 6-2). This victory marked her as the first American teenager since Serena Williams in 1999 to win the US Open singles crown, solidifying her status as a major force in women's tennis.

That is why, Gauff is a fan favorite with strong baseline play and mental toughness.

Emma Raducanu

Emma Raducanu is a former Grand Slam champion, but she hasn’t had an easy ride of things over the last few years. In 2021, Raducanu shocked the world when she became the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam title at the US Open. Since then, the Briton has struggled to stay fit on the WTA Tour and has been widely criticized for her frequent coaching changes.

Things seemed to have clicked in 2025; however, as working alongside Mark Petchey, Raducanu has picked up several big wins. With the US Open less than a month away, Raducanu is on the verge of a major breakthrough, which could put her in contention to win her second Grand Slam title at Flushing Meadows.

Also Read: US Open 2025 Schedule, Fixture and Streaming Details

US open 2025: Experienced Campaigners

Novak Djokovic

This is where the rankings diverge from methodology, as Novak Djokovic is ranked below three much-younger players but still, in my view, has a better chance in five-set matches. Djokovic got annihilated by Sinner in the Wimbledon Semifinal, and it looks more and more like the GOAT doesn’t have a prayer against men’s tennis’ new royalty. 

But I’d still probably pick him against any of the other 62 players in the tournament, a testament to how much his game has endured his older age.

Daniil Medvedev

This is the guy that beat Djokovic in the 2021 US Open Final when he was going for the calendar Grand Slam, and he’s just been unable to hack it this year. I don’t know what happened, but there’s no way it can stay this bad.