The 40-year-old Portugal and Al-Nassr forward, Cristiano Ronaldo has officially entered billionaire status, becoming the first footballer in history to achieve the milestone, according to financial data company Bloomberg.
Bloomberg’s Billionaires Index, which tracks the world’s wealthiest individuals, has listed Cristiano Ronaldo with an estimated net worth of $1.4 billion (£1.045 billion). The valuation combines his career earnings, sponsorship deals, and investments.
Ronaldo’s career income reportedly includes over $550 million (£410 million) in salaries between 2002 and 2023. A significant portion of his fortune also comes from his long-running endorsement deals, including a decade-long contract with Nike valued at nearly $18 million (£13.4 million) per year.
The former Juventus, Real Madrid and Manchester United star further boosted his wealth after joining Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League in 2022, where he became the highest-paid player in football history with an annual salary of £177 million. He has since extended his deal by two more years, reportedly worth more than $400 million (£298 million), keeping him at the club beyond his 42nd birthday.
Ronaldo’s longtime rival, Lionel Messi, follows closely behind. Bloomberg estimates that the Inter Miami captain has earned more than $600 million (£447 million) in pre-tax salary over his career, including $20 million (£15 million) annually since 2023, about a tenth of Ronaldo’s earnings in the same period.
Below are the World’s Richest Footballers’ Net Worths according to Bloomberg:
1. Cristiano Ronaldo – £1.045bn
2. Lionel Messi – £620m
3. Neymar – £280m
4. Kylian Mbappe – £186m
5. Karim Benzema – £150m
6. Paul Pogba – £93m
7. Son Heung-min – £75m
8. Antoine Griezmann – £67m
9. Mohamed Salah – £66m
10. Robert Lewandowski – £63m
