Cristiano Ronaldo has become the first footballer to achieve billionaire status, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, which estimates the Portugal captain's net worth at $1.4bn. The 40-year-old striker's financial milestone follows his move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr in June, where he signed a contract reportedly worth over $400m.
Bloomberg reports that Ronaldo earned more than $550m in salary between 2002 and 2023, supplemented by a decade-long Nike deal worth nearly $18m annually and lucrative endorsements with brands such as Armani and Castrol, which added over $175m to his fortune. His move from Manchester United to Al-Nassr in 2023 made him the highest-paid player in football history, with an annual salary of £177m ($358m), plus bonuses and a reported 15% share in the club.
Ronaldo joins a rare group of billionaire athletes that includes basketball stars Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and LeBron James, golfer Tiger Woods and tennis player Roger Federer. In comparison, Argentina and Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi has earned over $600m in pre-tax salary during his career.
Despite his age, Ronaldo has no plans to retire soon. Speaking at the Portugal Football Globes gala on Tuesday, he said: 'I still have a passion for this. My family says it's time to quit, and they ask me why I want to score 1000 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.'
