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10. Giannis Antetokounmpo -

The first entry on Forbes' list of the highest-paid athletes of 2022 is Giannis Antetokounmpo. The NBA star earned a total of US$80.9 million, $39.9 million of which, came from on-field earnings. The "Greek Freak" amassed $41 million in off-field earnings.

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10. Giannis Antetokounmpo -

He likes a touch of luxury, and little says luxury more than owning a collection of Rolex watches.

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10. Giannis Antetokounmpo -

But expensive timepieces look better on your wrist when you're driving a luxury car. Antetokounmpo's car collection includes a Land Rover, a Rolls Royce Cullinan, and a BMW i8.

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9. Tom Brady -

Next on the list is the famous NFL quarterback Tom Brady. The American football player earned a total of US$83.9 million. $31.9 million were earned on field, whereas his off-field earnings were $52 million.

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9. Tom Brady -

Brady likes to invest in real estate. He and his wife, Gisele Bündchen, own quite a few properties. In January 2021, they sold their home in Brookline, Massachusetts, for an estimated US$32.5 million.

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9. Tom Brady -

Of course, Brady also like his cars. And though he owns supercars such as a Bugatti Veyron Super Sport, Brady is a fan of a particular make: Audi.

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8. Canelo Alvarez -

In 2022 Mexican pro boxer Canelo Alvarez is the only fighter on the list. Alvarez earned a total of US$90 million, with only $5 million earned off field.

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8. Canelo Alvarez -

Canelo Alvarez owns an impressive car collection, including a Ferrari Testarossa, a Bugatti Chiron, and a Lamborghini Aventador.

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8. Canelo Alvarez -

The pro boxer has a lavish lifestyle, with a nearly US$20,000 shopping spree once reported back in 2020. What did he spend the money on? Sneakers and one $15,000 Louis Vuitton hoodie.

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7. Roger Federer -

The Swiss tennis player comes next on the list. Roger Federer earned a total of US$90.7 million, though only $700,000 of this amount was earned on field. The vast majority, $90 million to be more precise, were off-field earnings.

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7. Roger Federer -

Federer has been at the top of his game for decades, and has invested millions in numerous things, including real estate. Here is a general view of Rapperswil, where Federer was building a house, on the shores of Lake Zurich in 2021.

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7. Roger Federer -

The tennis pro has been a brand ambassador for Mercedes-Benz for years, and now has a collection of cars by the iconic German manufacturer. Though Federer also spends some of his millions on charity. The Roger Federer Foundation, which helps children living in poverty, is an example.

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6. Kevin Durant -

The famous basketball player for the Brooklyn Nets takes the sixth spot, with a total of US$92.1 million. Kevin Durant's on-field earnings were $42.1 million, and he earned $50 million off the basketball court.

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6. Kevin Durant -

Durant has an impressive car collection, including a US$200,000 Ferrari California. The NBA star also owns real estate, and invested in numerous businesses.

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6. Kevin Durant -

But Durant also donated lots of money to numerous charities. This included US$10 million to aid children in Prince George's County, Maryland.

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5. Stephen Curry -

With total earnings of US$92.8 million, Stephen Curry makes the top five on Forbes' list. The basketball star earned US$45.8 million in in-field earnings, and $47 million in off-field earnings.

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5. Stephen Curry -

Curry loves his cars, even if he's not always the one driving them. His collection includes two Porsches, a Tesla, a Range Rover, and a Cadillac, among others.

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5. Stephen Curry -

Investing in real estate is also something Curry is no stranger to. Back in 2019, the NBA star bought this house in Atherton, California, for around US$31 million.

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4. Neymar -

The Brazilian soccer star, currently playing for Paris Saint-Germain F.C., is the fourth best-paid athlete on Forbes' list. Neymar earned US$95 million in total, with $70 million coming from on-field earnings, and the remaining US$25 million from off-field earnings.

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4. Neymar -

Like many other sports stars, Neymar has bought a few luxury cars, but he also owns a private jet.

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4. Neymar -

This is the house Neymar chose to live in when he moved to PSG in 2017. Located in a Paris suburb called Bougival, it boasts five storeys, surrounded by 5,000 square-meters of land, and an indoor pool.

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3. Cristiano Ronaldo -

The Portuguese soccer ace makes another appearance on Forbes' list of highest-paid athletes. The Manchester United player earned a total of US$115 million. Ronaldo earned $60 million from playing, and nabbed $55 million in off-field earnings.

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3. Cristiano Ronaldo -

Ronaldo has a number of investments around the world, including two CR7 hotels; one in Funchal, Madeira, and another one in the Portuguese capital, Lisbon.

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3. Cristiano Ronaldo -

And, of course, he likes his luxury cars. Ronaldo's car collection is worth around US$24 million, and includes five Ferraris and a $12 million Bugatti Centodieci.

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2. LeBron James -

This year's runner-up in Forbes' list of the highest-paid athletes of 2022 is NBA star LeBron James. The Lakers player earned a total of US$130 million. $75 million of that came from playing, while $55 million of that amount was earned off field.

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2. LeBron James -

Back in 2011, LeBron James bought a 2% stake of legendary English soccer team Liverpool F.C., for about US$6.5 million. It turns out it was a good investment, as his share has grown exponentially over the last few years.

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2. LeBron James -

But the NBA star didn't just invest in sports clubs (in 2021 he also became part owner of the Boston Red Sox). LeBron James also owns a production company called SpringHill Company.

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1. Lionel Messi -

The top spot goes to the Argentinian soccer star, who currently plays for Paris Saint-Germain F.C. Messi amassed a total of US$130 million in 2022. He made $75 million from his day job, and a whopping $55 million in off-field earnings.

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1. Lionel Messi -

Though the seven-times Ballon D'or winner likes to drives his luxury cars, sometimes only a jet will do. Messi's private aircraft is said to have cost US$17 million.

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1. Lionel Messi -

Like other sports starts, Messi likes his luxury cars. So much so that he is said to own 13 of them, worth a combined total of over US$34 million. 

Sources: (Insider 1, 2, 3), (Showbiz Cheat Sheet) (Geeky News) (Republic World) (Sports Manor) (Sportscasting)

See also: Lionel Messi: from Atomic Flea to soccer’s GOAT

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