In a landmark achievement, football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has officially joined the exclusive ranks of sports billionaires, making him the first footballer in history to reach this prestigious financial milestone.
According to a comprehensive report on worldwide billionaire rankings updated by Bloomberg on October 8th, the Portuguese icon’s total net assets are estimated at an astounding $1.4 billion. This places Ronaldo not only as the first footballer but also the first Portuguese individual in history to attain billionaire status.
Throughout a career spanning over two decades at the pinnacle of professional football, Ronaldo has graced the pitches of some of the sport’s most prestigious clubs. His journey has included stints with Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and currently, Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia. His tenure with these footballing giants has been immensely lucrative, generating substantial income through record-breaking playing contracts.
Beyond his exceptional prowess on the field, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner has also demonstrated significant business acumen. Ronaldo has cultivated a powerful personal brand, leveraging extensive promotional collaborations with major sports equipment companies, including industry titans like Nike and high-fashion brands such as Armani. These endorsement deals significantly augment his annual earnings, adding millions of dollars to his income each year.
His current groundbreaking two-year contract with Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr, signed in late 2022, is a testament to his continued market value. This deal is reportedly worth over $275 million per year, not including various additional performance-related incentives and commercial bonuses. The move to Saudi Arabia is projected to further elevate Ronaldo’s earnings, with the total value of his two-year agreement estimated to exceed $675 million, factoring in all incentives. Furthermore, the deal reportedly includes a substantial stake of approximately 15% in the Al Nassr club itself, solidifying his long-term financial ties to the organization.
For much of their illustrious careers in European football, Ronaldo and his perennial rival, Lionel Messi, commanded comparable earnings. However, a divergence in their financial trajectories became evident following Ronaldo’s move to Saudi Arabia in 2023. While Ronaldo’s income surged dramatically with his Al Nassr contract, Messi’s subsequent transfer to Inter Miami in America, though lucrative, did not see a proportional increase to rival Ronaldo’s new heights.
According to the same Bloomberg report, Argentine superstar Lionel Messi, then 38 years old, was estimated to possess a total wealth of around $600 million, classifying him as a millionaire, but not yet a billionaire.
Ronaldo now joins an elite pantheon of sports figures who have achieved billionaire status, as recorded by Bloomberg. This exclusive list includes basketball legend Michael Jordan, golf icon Tiger Woods, and tennis great Roger Federer.
