Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo has officially entered the ranks of global billionaires, according to Bloomberg, becoming the first football player to amass a fortune exceeding $1 billion.
Bloomberg’s report revealed that Ronaldo, 40, currently playing for Al-Nassr FC in Saudi Arabia, has an estimated net worth of $1.4 billion (£1.04 billion). This figure includes earnings from his two-decade-long football career, as well as investments and endorsement deals.
Between 2002 and 2023, Ronaldo earned over $550 million in salaries, and benefited from major sponsorships—most notably his 10-year deal with Nike, which paid him around $18 million annually.
Upon joining Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League in 2022, Ronaldo became the highest-paid footballer in history, with an annual contract worth £177 million. He recently extended his contract for two more years, taking him beyond age 42, with a total value exceeding $400 million.
In comparison, the report noted that Lionel Messi, currently with Inter Miami, earned over $600 million in salaries before taxes throughout his career. Since moving to the U.S. league, Messi earns $20 million annually, which is roughly 10% of Ronaldo’s income during the same period. After retirement, Messi is expected to receive ownership equity in his American club.
