Cristiano Ronaldo becomes football’s first active billionaire – Report
Soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has officially become the first active footballer to reach billionaire status, according to a valuation by Bloomberg.
The latest Bloomberg Billionaires Index, which tracks the wealth of the world’s richest individuals, estimates the Portuguese legend’s net worth at around $1.4 billion.
The index calculated the 40-year-old’s vast wealth using his contract earnings, investment portfolio, and extensive endorsement deals.
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The report provided a breakdown of his earnings, stating: “Ronaldo earned over $550 million in salary between 2002 and 2023.”
His massive earnings are bolstered by long-term corporate partnerships: “He also signed a decade-long Nike deal for nearly $18 million annually and other endorsements with brands like Armani and Castrol, adding over $175 million to his net worth.”
A significant recent boost came from his move to the Middle East. Ronaldo initially joined Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia in 2022 on a two-and-a-half-year deal.
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His subsequent renewal in 2025 further cemented his financial standing: “His 2023 transfer to Al-Nassr earned him around $200 million yearly in tax-free salary and bonuses, plus perks including a $30 million signing bonus.”
Following his contract renewal in 2025, the two-year deal with Al-Nassr is reportedly valued at more than $400 million.
According to Bloomberg, Lionel Messi places second behind Ronaldo in career earnings, having earned over $600 million in pre-tax salary throughout his career.
The index highlighted the current disparity in income between the two rivals: “He [Messi] also reportedly has a revenue-sharing deal with Apple. Messi’s guaranteed pay over the last two seasons is only about a tenth of Ronaldo’s income during the same period.
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Both players have benefited from significant pay inflation, far exceeding the lifetime earnings of previous stars like David Beckham, who earned around $100 million before retiring in 2013.”
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