Portugal internationale, Cristiano Ronaldo has officially become football’s first billionaire player, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, which tracked the 40-year-old Portugal and Al-Nassr star’s wealth for the first time.
The index values Ronaldo’s net worth at $1.4 billion (£1.04bn), factoring in his career earnings, investments, and endorsements. It states he earned more than $550 million (£410m) in salary between 2002 and 2023, alongside lucrative deals — including a decade-long Nike contract worth almost $18 million (£13.4m) a year.
When Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr in 2022, he “reportedly became the best-paid player in football history” with an annual salary of £177m. His initial deal was due to end in June 2025, but he has since signed a new two-year contract reportedly worth more than $400m (£298m), keeping him at the club beyond his 42nd birthday.
Bloomberg also noted that Argentina and Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi “has earned more than $600m (£447m) in pre-tax salary” during his career, including “$20m (£15m) in guaranteed annual pay since 2023 — about 10% of Ronaldo’s income during the same period.”
