Cristiano Ronaldo is the wealthiest man in football, according to new data gathered by Bloomberg.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been named football’s first billionaire, with a staggering net worth of $1.4 billion (£1.04 billion).
The 40-year-old Al-Nassr striker’s fortune has been calculated by the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, which monitors global net worth rankings.
Factoring in over two decades of career wages, brand deals, and investment portfolio, Bloomberg estimates Ronaldo has pocketed more than $550 million (£410 million) in wages alone between 2002 and 2023.
Among his most lucrative deals is a long-standing partnership with Nike, reportedly worth $18 million (£13.4 million) annually. But it was his move to Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr in 2022 that truly redefined football’s pay scale.
Ronaldo’s initial contract saw him become the top-paid player in football history, with an annual salary of £177 million. He’s since extended his stay with a fresh two-year deal said to be worth more than $400 million (£298 million).
Off the field, Ronaldo’s lifestyle is just as lavish. The father-of-five recently proposed to longtime partner Georgina Rodriguez, 31, with a diamond ring estimated to be worth between $2 million and $10 million.
Meanwhile, long-time rival Lionel Messi, now playing for Inter Miami, has earned more than $600 million (£447 million) pre-tax over the course of his career. Since 2023, Messi’s reported annual income sits at $20 million (£15 million) — roughly a tenth of Ronaldo’s earnings over the same period. Upon retirement, the 38-year-old Argentine star is anticipated to receive a stake in his MLS club, further boosting his financial legacy.
Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly becomes first footballer to join the billionaire club
