Cristiano Ronaldo becomes football’s first billionaire, says Bloomberg

RIYADH: Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo has become football’s first billionaire player, according to figures released Wednesday in the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

The 40-year-old Al-Nassr striker has been added to Bloomberg’s list of the world’s richest people, with an estimated net worth of $1.4 billion.

The valuation includes his career earnings, endorsements, and investments.

Bloomberg reported that Ronaldo earned more than $550 million in salary between 2002 and 2023, alongside lucrative sponsorships, including his decade-long deal with Nike, worth almost $18 million annually.

Ronaldo joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr in 2022, reportedly becoming the highest-paid footballer in history. His contract, originally set to expire in June 2025, was recently extended by two years in a deal reportedly worth more than $400 million, which will keep him at the Riyadh club beyond his 42nd birthday.

Bloomberg compared Ronaldo’s earnings to those of his long-time rival Lionel Messi, noting that the Argentina and Inter Miami forward has earned over $600 million in pre-tax salary during his career.

Messi, who has been on a guaranteed annual pay of $20 million since joining Inter Miami in 2023, roughly 10 percent of Ronaldo’s income during the same period, is set to receive a stake in the MLS club upon retirement.