Ronaldo becomes football’s first billionaire as net worth hits $1.4bn

Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo has become the first footballer to reach billionaire status.

This is contained in Bloomberg Billionaires Index, which valued Ronaldo’s net worth at an estimated $1.4 billion.

The former Real Madrid forward’s financial ascent comes after he signed a new contract with Saudi side Al-Nassr in June reportedly worth more than $400 million.

Bloomberg said Ronaldo, 40, earned more than $550 million in salary between 2002 and 2023, supplemented by a decade-long Nike deal worth nearly $18 million annually, and lucrative endorsements with Armani, Castrol, and others that added more than $175 million to his fortune.

Ronaldo’s move to Al-Nassr from Manchester United in 2023 had already made him the highest-paid player in football history, with an annual salary of 177 million pounds ($237.52 million), plus bonuses and a reported 15% share in his Saudi Arabia club.

Argentina and Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi has earned more than $600 million in pre-tax salary during his career.

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Ronaldo’s billionaire status places him among a rare group of athletes that includes basketball greats Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and LeBron James, golfer Tiger Woods and tennis player Roger Federer.

Speaking at the Portugal Football Globes gala on Tuesday, Ronaldo said he is not considering retirement any time soon, declaring that “I still have a passion” for football.

He added: “My family says it’s time to quit and they ask me why I want to score 1,000 goals if I’ve already scored 900-something. But I don’t think that way inside.

“I’m still producing good things, I’m helping my club and the national team. Why not continue? I am sure that when I finish I will leave full because I gave everything of myself. I know I don’t have many years left to play, but the few I have left, I have to enjoy them to the fullest.”

The Star