Cristiano Ronaldo has scored another record mark and this time, it’s not on the pitch. The Portuguese legend has officially become the first footballer to join the billionaire club, based on the Bloomberg Billionaire Index, which has ranked his overall net worth at a whopping $1.4 billion. This is the first time Ronaldo’s wealth has figured on the esteemed list, ahead of his arch-rival Lionel Messi in terms of total earnings.
Ronaldo’s fortune has been established through a mix of playing contracts, celebrity endorsements, and astute business deals. While his income during his playing days in Europe mirrored that of Messi fairly closely, things radically shifted with Ronaldo’s switch to Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr in 2023. That contract, which earned him an estimated $200 million a year in tax-free salary and bonuses, plus a $30 million signing fee, decidedly increased his financial profile.
Also Read: Lionel Messi India Tour tickets price: Where to buy tickets to watch Messi in Delhi?
Bloomberg estimates that Ronaldo has earned over $550 million in playing salaries from 2002 to 2023 alone. However, his off-the-field income is equally impressive. His long-term endorsement deal with Nike brings in an estimated $18 million annually, while other brand partnerships including with Armani and Castrol have contributed an additional $175 million to his fortune.
Conversely, Messi is estimated to have earned approximately $600 million in pre-tax wages during his playing career. Ever since he transferred to Inter Miami in Major League Soccer in 2023, he’s been getting roughly $20 million per year.
Apart from football and sponsorships, Ronaldo has expanded his CR7 brand into an international business empire. From high-end fashion and sunglasses to hotels and gyms, the brand diversified his sources of income. He also owns a number of high-end real estate assets, including a €20 million mansion at the luxurious Quinta da Marinha golf resort just outside Lisbon.
To his fortune and worldwide standing is Ronaldo’s unparalleled social media presence. At more than 660 million followers, he is still the most followed person on Instagram cementing once again his position not only as a football great, but as a global phenomenon with unheard-of commercial clout.
