Cristiano Ronaldo has been named football’s first billionaire player, according to financial data firm Bloomberg.
The Bloomberg Billionaires Index, which tracks the world’s wealthiest individuals, has valued the Portugal and Al-Nassr striker’s net worth at $1.4 billion (£1.04 billion), taking into account his career earnings, endorsements, and investments.
This marks the first time the index has included the 40-year-old in its rankings.
Ronaldo is reported to have earned more than $550 million (£410 million) in salary between 2002 and 2023, with a substantial portion of his wealth also coming from sponsorship deals, including a long-term agreement with Nike worth nearly $18 million (£13.4 million) annually.
In 2022, Ronaldo made headlines by joining Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, reportedly becoming the highest-paid footballer in history with a yearly salary of £177 million. He has since signed a new two-year contract with the club, believed to be worth over $400 million (£298 million), extending his stay beyond his 42nd birthday.
While long-time rival Lionel Messi has earned more in salary over the course of his career — over $600 million (£447 million) pre-tax, according to Bloomberg — his earnings in recent years have been significantly lower than Ronaldo’s. Since joining Inter Miami in 2023, Messi is said to be earning a guaranteed $20 million (£15 million) annually, around 10% of Ronaldo’s income over the same period.
Messi, 38, is expected to receive a stake in Inter Miami upon retirement, which could add significantly to his wealth in the long term.
Ronaldo’s milestone cements his status not only as one of the greatest footballers of all time, but also as one of the sport’s most successful commercial figures.
