Shohei Ohtani has just become the biggest highlight in the world of sports. He has agreed to sign a 10-year contract worth up to $700 million with the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team, competing in Major League Baseball (MLB).
Although not yet the highest-paid athlete annually, Shohei Ohtani’s deal stands as the largest contract the sports world has ever witnessed. Previously, Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al Nassr with a 2.5-year contract worth $536 million. As for Lionel Messi, he signed a 2.5-year contract worth $150 million with Inter Miami.
Shohei Ohtani has become the athlete with the largest contract. However, when comparing the assets owned by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, there is still a significant gap for the Japanese baseball star.
Shohei Ohtani, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Lionel Messi, who is the richest?
Specifically, according to Celebrity Net Worth, Shohei Ohtani currently has assets worth $50 million. This figure seems modest compared to Cristiano Ronaldo, who owns assets worth $500 million. Meanwhile, Lionel Messi has assets amounting to $600 million.
However, both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are in the twilight years of their peak playing careers. Meanwhile, Shohei Ohtani is only 29 years old. With the $700 million contract he just signed, Shohei Ohtani’s assets will increase significantly in the coming years.
Data as of 2023
| Sportsperson | Contract value (USD) | Contract duration (years) | Asset value (USD) |
| Shohei Ohtani | 700 Millions | 10 | 50 Millions |
| Cristiano Ronaldo | 536 Millions | 2,5 | 500 Millions |
| Lionel Messi | 150 Millions | 2,5 | 600 Millions |
Comparing off-field incomes of Shohei Ohtani, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Lionel Messi
According to Forbes, Ronaldo currently earns $90 million from promotional and commercial activities off the field. Messi also earns $65 million from similar activities. In contrast, Shohei Ohtani’s figure is only $35 million.
With MLB always among the top two most-watched leagues in the United States, the commercial value that Shohei Ohtani could earn in the future will increase significantly. Not to mention, he also has a large fan base in Japan, a country where baseball is one of the premier sports.