Cristiano Ronaldo has officially become the first billionaire player in football history, according to a new report from Bloomberg.
Per the report, the 40-year-old Portugal and Al Nassr forward’s net worth is at $1.4 billion, making him the most financially successful soccer player of all time.
Ronaldo’s wealth comes from a combination of on-field earnings, global endorsements, and business ventures built over a two-decade career. After earning more than $550 million in salary between 2002 and 2023, including stints with Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus, Ronaldo’s move to Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr in early 2023 took his income to record-breaking levels.
Ronaldo’s new two-year contract, reportedly worth $400 million, includes around $200 million per year plus a $30 million signing bonus, making him the highest-paid player in the world.
Off the pitch, Ronaldo’s 10-year Nike contract, valued at about $18 million per year, and partnerships with brands like Armani, Clear, and TAG Heuer have added significantly to his fortune.Meanwhile, his CR7 business empire, which includes clothing, fragrances, hotels, and gyms, has cemented his place as one of the richest athletes ever.
Ronaldo now sits comfortably ahead of his long-time rival Lionel Messi, though the gap could narrow sonner than later. Bloomberg reports that Messi has earned around $600 million in pre-tax salary, including roughly $20 million per year with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.
Messi also benefits from a revenue-sharing deal with Apple, tied to streaming rights for MLS matches on Apple TV+, but even that arrangement pales in comparison to Ronaldo’s mammoth Al Nassr earnings.
However, Messi’s financial value is expected to rise substantially upon his retirement. As part of his MLS deal, the Argentina captain will receive a stake in Inter Miami, a club valued by Forbes at around $1.2 billion. That ownership share will only transfer once Messi hangs up his boots, following a recent multi-year extension with the team.
