Post by : Rameen Ariff

Portuguese football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has become the first professional footballer to reach billionaire status, according to the latest Bloomberg Billionaires Index, which estimates his net worth at around $1.4 billion.

The 40-year-old forward’s financial rise follows his high-profile move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr in June, with a reported contract worth over $400 million. Ronaldo’s earnings from 2002 to 2023 include more than $550 million in salaries, coupled with a decade-long Nike deal valued at nearly $18 million per year. Additionally, lucrative endorsements with Armani, Castrol, and other global brands contributed over $175 million to his fortune.

His transfer to Al-Nassr from Manchester United in 2023 made him the highest-paid footballer in history, earning £177 million ($237.5 million) per year, plus bonuses and a reported 15% ownership share in the Saudi club.

Ronaldo now joins an exclusive group of billionaire athletes, including Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Tiger Woods, Magic Johnson, and Roger Federer. Although Lionel Messi has earned over $600 million in pre-tax salary during his career, Ronaldo’s combined earnings from salary, endorsements, and contracts have propelled him to the billionaire milestone.

Despite his monumental success, Ronaldo insists he is not ready to retire. Speaking at the Portugal Football Globes gala, he said, “I still have a passion for this. My family asks why I want to score 1,000 goals if I’ve already scored 900-something. But I don’t think that way. I want to enjoy the few years I have left and give everything to my club and country.”

Ronaldo’s remarkable career and financial achievements continue to make him a global icon in football, sports endorsements, and athlete wealth rankings, setting a benchmark for future generations of footballers.

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