(Image source from: Mensxp.com)

Forbes has released the 2019 list of world’s highest-paid athletes and Indian skipper Virat Kohli has become the sole Indian athlete to be in the list.

According to Forbes, the cutoff to crack the world’s 100 highest-paid athletes was $25 million this year, compared with $17.3 million five years ago. While Virat Kohli, who was ranked 83rd on last year's list slipped down to the 100th spot, this is also the first year that footballers have clinched the top three spots since Forbes started keeping tabs on athlete earnings in 1990.

Here are the athletes who have made it to the top ten in Forbes’ list of highest-paid athletes:

Lionel Messi (Football)

(Image Source: Instagram.com/leomessi)

With total earnings of USD 127 million, the soccer star earns USD 92 million from salary and winnings and an additional USD 35m from endorsements.  Notably, Lionel Messi was at number 2 position last year with USD 111 million in earnings.  

Cristiano Ronaldo (Football)

(Image Source: Instagram.com/cristiano)

Cristiano Ronaldo has total estimated earnings of $109 million over the last 12 months with $65 million coming from salary and winnings and $44 million coming from endorsements. He climbed up from his last year's 3rd position with USD 108 million in earnings.

Neymar Jr (Football)

(Image Source: Instagram.com/neymarjr)

Another soccer star, the Brazilian footballer Neymar was at the fifth position last year with USD 90 million in earnings. He managed to climb to number 3 with USD 75 million in salary and winnings and endorsements worth USD 30 million. His net worth is USD 105 million.

Canelo Alvarez (Boxing)

(Image Source: Instagram.com/canelo)

The Mexican Boxer is at number four with a net worth of USD 94 million. He has a salary/winnings of USD 92 million and endorsements worth USD 2 million.   

Roger Federer (Tennis)

(Image Source: Instagram.com/rogerfederer)

Roger Federer, the Tennis great, is fifth on the list with a whopping $86 million coming from endorsements and $7.4 million coming from salary and earnings. He climbed up from the number 7 spot.  

Russell Wilson (American Football)

(Image Source: Instagram.com/dangerusswilson)

With salary and winnings worth USD 80 million and endorsements worth USD 9 million, the American footballer holds the number six spot with USD 89.5 million in earnings.

Aaron Rodgers (American Football)

(Image Source: Instagram.com/aaronrodgers12)

Another American footballer, Rodgers has a net worth of USD 89.3 million that includes salary/ winnings of USD 80.3 million and endorsements worth USD 9 million.

Lebron James (Basketball)

(Image Source: Instagram.com/kingjames)

Lakers' basketball star James has a total earning of USD 89 million that includes USD 36 million in salary and winnings and USD 53 million in endorsements.  

Stephen Curry (Basketball)

(Image Source: Instagram.com/stephencurry30)

Stephen Curry who was in number 8 last year has slipped a spot to 9 with total earnings worth USD 79.8 million. This includes USD 37.8 million in salary/winnings and USD 42 million in endorsements.

By Sowmya Sangam