Cristiano Ronaldo Becomes Football’s First Billionaire
Cristiano Ronaldo has officially crossed a threshold no other footballer ever has, he’s now a billionaire. Bloomberg’s latest Billionaires Index places his net worth at approximately $1.4 billion.
This milestone is largely thanks to a blockbuster contract with Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, reportedly worth over $400 million.
Beyond that, Ronaldo has earned more than $550 million in salary between 2002 and 2023 from various clubs, and secured endorsement deals with global brands like Nike, Armani, Castrol, and more, adding over $175 million to his fortune.
His move from Manchester United to Al-Nassr in 2023 already made him the highest-paid player in the world, with a reported annual salary of around £177 million (plus bonuses and a 15 % share in the club).
The new contract pushed his financial status even further.
Ronaldo doesn’t just join the billionaire club, he’s the first footballer ever to get there. He now joins an exclusive group of billionaire athletes that includes names like Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Tiger Woods, Roger Federer, and Magic Johnson.
Even at 40 years old, Ronaldo shows no signs of slowing down. At a recent gala, he said:
“I still have a passion for this … I’m helping my club and the national team. Why not continue?”
He’s made it clear that, while retirement might loom in the future, he intends to enjoy every remaining moment on the pitch.