Cristiano Ronaldo reaches $1.4bn net worth, becoming football’s first billionaire

Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after the Saudi Pro League match in Jeddah, Sept. 26, 2025.
Reuters

Cristiano Ronaldo has become football’s first billionaire player, according to Bloomberg, which tracks the world’s richest individuals.

The Bloomberg Billionaires Index valued the 40-year-old Portugal and Al-Nassr striker’s net worth at $1.4bn (£1.04bn), including career earnings, endorsements, and investments. Ronaldo reportedly earned more than $550m (£410m) in salary between 2002 and 2023, with sponsorships such as a decade-long Nike deal paying nearly $18m (£13.4m) per year.

Joining Al-Nassr in 2022, Ronaldo became the highest-paid player in football history with an annual salary of £177m. His initial contract ended in June 2025, but he signed a new two-year deal reportedly worth more than $400m (£298m), keeping him at the club past his 42nd birthday.

Argentina and Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi, Ronaldo’s longtime rival in Spain, has earned over $600m (£447m) in pre-tax salary during his career. Since 2023, Messi has made $20m (£15m) annually, roughly 10% of Ronaldo’s income for the same period. Upon retirement, Messi is set to receive a stake in Inter Miami.

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