Neymar named highest-earning under-25 athlete

Forbes has named Barcelona forward Neymar, as the highest-earning under-25 athlete in the world.

Neymar who turns 26 next February earns $37 million a year.

In 2016, he signed a new five-year deal with Barca worth $15m-a-year, but the report indicates he earns much more away from the pitch.

The Brazilian takes first place ahead of golfer Jordan Spieth ($34.5m) and NBA duo Kyrie Irving ($29.9m) and Anthony Davis ($28.1m).

“The Brazilian wunderkind is the highest-paid of the 25 and under set.

“The superstar’s current contract ties him to Barcelona until 2021. He is the only [football] player to earn more off the pitch than on it, including from sponsors Nike, Gillette, Panasonic and Beats by Dre,” Forbes said after naming the 100 highest-paid athletes in the world.

However, Neymar is only 18th on the overall list, which is headed by Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo, who boasts annual earning of $93m taking into account his salary and the money he receives from endorsements.

Earlier this year, Neymar was the only football player to be named in Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people on the planet.