Cristiano Ronaldo has officially become the first footballer to reach billionaire status.
The Bloomberg Billionaires Index, which tracks the world’s richest individuals, has measured the 40-year-old Portugal and Al-Nassr star’s net worth for the first time at $1.4 billion (£1.04bn).
The estimate factors in his career earnings, investments, and endorsement deals. Ronaldo reportedly earned more than $550 million (£410m) in salary between 2002 and 2023, with a decade-long Nike deal alone bringing in nearly $18 million (£13.4m) annually.
After joining Al-Nassr in 2022, Ronaldo became the highest-paid player in football history, earning £177 million a year. He recently extended his contract with the Saudi Pro League club until after his 42nd birthday, in a deal worth more than $400 million (£298m).
For comparison, Lionel Messi has earned more than $600 million (£447m) in pre-tax salary during his career, including $20 million (£15m) annually since 2023 — about 10% of Ronaldo’s income over the same period.
