At 40 years old, Cristiano Ronaldo continues to set and break records on and off the pitch. The latest among his enviable achievements is his financial gains from the round leather game. According to a recent Bloomberg Billionaires Index, the Portuguese superstar is now the first football player to be a billionaire.
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The Valuation Process
In arriving at the net worth of the Al-Nassr forward, Bloomberg considered the player’s earnings from endorsements, wages, and investments. The outcome revealed that the former Real Madrid and Manchester United ace is now worth $1.4 billion.
This achievement has further fueled the Messi vs. Ronaldo debate among fans. His Argentine rival, Lionel Messi, was valued at $850 million, falling short by about $550 million. However, there a projections that given Messi’s current deal with Inter Miami, he could surpass Ronaldo.
That said, the road to Ronaldo’s billion started getting smoother when he joined the Saudi Pro League in 2022 as an Al-Nassr player. The club agreed to pay the superstar $237.53 million annually, making him the highest-paid player in football history. That contract, which was expected to close in June 2025, has now been extended by two years for over $400 million.
Between 2002 and 2023, Bloomberg revealed that Ronaldo earned a total salary of $550 million. He also has a ten-year deal with Nike that is worth $18 million yearly. Other brands such as Castrol and Armani have endorsement deals with this maestrol to the tune of $175 million.
All of this wealth contrasts with the poor background of this football icon. Raised on Madeira’s island, Ronaldo knew what poverty was when growing up. Poverty and other constraints led him to quit formal education at 14 and turn to football. It was on the mainland that Sporting Lisbon found him before he eventually joined rich football clubs in Europe.
Ronaldo’s Investments
The main person who manages Ronaldo’s wealth is Marques, a former Swiss banker now privately consulting at a Lisbon office. The firm is reputed to have executed projects worth 1.4 billion Euros since its establishment in 2018.
A large chunk of Ronaldo’s investment is in Portugal, particularly in Lisbon. He often strikes deals with loyal and close friends, including trusted counselors. One of such investments he entered into through a friend was the stake he purchased in a club called City of Padel. He’s been a loyal fan of the sport and has made many appearances without prior announcements.
There are other small businesses maintained through Miguel Paixao de Santos, a long-time ally. Besides the well-known Lisboa Racket Center, which he purchased in 2024, he owns many gym and hotel chains, a media group, and the CR7 brand. All of these businesses, while great and flourishing, are really not his wealth drivers.
Social Media Popularity
“Your love makes me strong, your hate makes me unstoppable.”
The above is one of Cristiano Ronaldo’s social media posts that reveals how he treats other people’s behavior towards him.
Skills aside, one of the reasons the Saudi Arabia club still cherishes the presence of Ronaldo is his popularity. As a nation and club hoping to market itself to a global audience, what better person can help achieve that than the most famous individual on Instagram? With more than 660 million IG followers, the Portuguese footballer has the influence any club would want to capitalize on. His followers across all social media platforms are over a billion.
His first match in Al-Nassr’s jersey attracted thousands of fans, with subsequent match tickets sold off days before they were played. The excitement may be waning, but the club seems to understand its strategic impact in showcasing them to the world.
What the Future Holds for Ronaldo
Most footballers retire before 40 years, but Ronaldo’s contract will see him celebrate his 42nd birthday as an Al-Nassr player. Troubling for some is also the fact that a significant portion of his wealth came from his career pay. As such, many wonder what his bank account would be when he finally bows out.
“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.” - Ronaldo
His critics and fans of his rival Lionel Messi believe that when the latter starts earning from his stake at the MLS side, he will topple Ronaldo and emerge as the world’s richest footballer ever. All of this is left to be seen as the years ahead unfold.