Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has become the world’s first Football player to reach a billion-dollar fortune, according to financial and media information company Bloomberg.
The Bloomberg Billionaires Index, which tracks the world’s richest people based on their net worth, measured the wealth of the 40-year-old Al-Nassr and Portugal national team striker for the first time.
The valuation takes into account his career earnings, investments, and endorsements, and indicates Ronaldo’s net worth is $1.4 billion.
The report states that he earned more than $550 million in salary between 2002 and 2023, detailing his earnings from endorsement deals and contracts, including a decade-long deal with Nike worth approximately $18 million annually.
When Ronaldo joined Saudi club Al-Nassr in 2022, he reportedly became the highest-paid player in football history with an annual salary of £177 million. His contract was due to expire in June 2025, but he signed a new two-year deal, reportedly worth over $400 million, which will keep him at the club beyond his 42nd birthday.
Argentina and Inter Miami striker Lionel Messi, who played against Ronaldo for many years during their time in Spain, has earned over $600 million in pre-tax salary during his career, according to Bloomberg. This includes a $20 million annual salary guaranteed starting in 2023, representing about 10% of Ronaldo’s income during the same period.
