Cristiano Ronaldo - the billionaire on the football field

Cristiano Ronaldo has managed to write another page of history, this time off the field: according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, his net worth has reached 1.4 billion dollars, which makes him the first footballer to reach billionaire status. The contract signed in June 2025 with the Saudi club Al-Nassr, valued at over 400 million dollars, played a key role in this achievement according to e24.no.

• Multiple sources of income - not just the salary

The path to this financial recognition was not based only on the salary itself, no matter how high it was. Ronaldo has accumulated significant income from: sponsorship contracts with international brands (Nike, Armani, etc.); participation in commercial projects and personal investments; contractual bonuses and, potentially, participation in the club (Al-Nassr) in the recently signed contract. A report notes that Saudi Arabia's salary is tax-free, adding a significant tax advantage to wealth accumulation.

• Messi vs Ronaldo: Recent Comparisons and Differences

While Lionel Messi has also earned huge sums of money throughout his career, the differences have widened in 2023, with Ronaldo's move to Al-Nassr and Messi's departure to Inter Miami, according to The Economic Times. Messi also has major sponsorship deals, and some sources mention that he will receive a stake in the American club after retirement, which could balance his position against Ronaldo.

Ronaldo has over 20 years of career in top clubs (Sporting Lisbon, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, etc.), during which he has set numerous transfer, goal and performance records. The move to Al-Nassr, while raising questions about competitiveness, was seen as a financial and personal challenge, and the extremely generous salary offer allowed him to reach this wealth threshold. Ronaldo is the most popular person in the world on Instagram, with over 660 million followers, a fact that has probably not escaped Saudi officials, given that the country wants to open up more and promote itself as an attractive tourist destination. His arrival in Saudi Arabia generated immense excitement, with thousands of people watching his debut, and tickets for subsequent matches often being sold out. He quickly became Al-Nassr's top scorer. However, the initial enthusiasm waned, with regular matches now attracting smaller audiences. A match at the end of the season reportedly drew fewer than 6,000 spectators, despite what could have been his last home game before his contract was renewed. Ronaldo, on the other hand, defends the Saudi Professional League, even claiming it is superior to France's Ligue 1. He also praises the safety and beauty of Saudi Arabia, often sharing his experiences on Instagram, especially those at the Red Sea.

• Critics and Perspectives

Some observers note that the exact numbers may be difficult to fully verify - the estimates include future income, bonuses, sponsorships, investments, and depend on the assumption that these contracts will be fully fulfilled. Also, Ronaldo's financial life after retirement could depend on how well he manages his personal brands (CR7, real estate, hotels, etc.). In comparison, other very wealthy athletes have consolidated their wealth largely not from direct salaries, but from secondary businesses and sponsorships (e.g. Michael Jordan, Roger Federer). Ronaldo also seems to excel through the mix of salary and sponsorships/investments.

His contract with Al-Nassr is valid until 2027, which gives him the chance to consolidate his wealth even more. Personal brand remains central: CR7, every post on social networks, public image and the possibility of owning parts of the club or other businesses can keep him in the top of the highest paid and most influential athletes. In the long term, the decision to retire, how he manages his investments and assets will be the keys to maintaining or increasing his wealth.

Cristiano Ronaldo is no longer just a legend of the football field - he has also become a symbol of financial success in sports. Surpassing the $ 1 billion threshold marks not only a personal record, but a milestone in the history of modern football.

• The Story of a Legendary Career

Few athletes in the world have managed to transform talent into a work of endurance and perfection like Cristiano Ronaldo. From the island of Madeira to the spotlights of Madrid, Turin and Riyadh, the Portuguese's career remains a benchmark of boundless ambition.

Born on February 5, 1985, in Funchal (Madeira), Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro grew up in a modest family, but with rare determination. At just 12 years old, he left his native island to train at the Sporting Lisbon academy, where the coaches immediately noticed his speed, technique and iron mentality. In 2002, he made his debut in the Sporting first team, and in a friendly match against Manchester United he caught the attention of Sir Alex Ferguson. It wasn't long before the 18-year-old Portuguese became the new No. 7 at Old Trafford - inheriting a shirt worn by legends such as George Best and David Beckham.

• The Manchester United years - the birth of a global star

Under Ferguson's tutelage, Ronaldo transformed from a spectacular teenager into a complete player. He won three consecutive Premier League titles (2007-2009) and lifted the Champions League trophy in 2008, the year he was rewarded with his first Ballon d'Or.During that period, Ronaldo became synonymous with spectacle, long-range execution and all-out power, a prototype of the modern footballer.

• The Real Madrid era - the peak of performance

In 2009, Real Madrid paid euro94 million to bring him to Santiago Bernabeu. What followed was a golden era. In 9 seasons, Ronaldo scored 450 goals in 438 matches, becoming the club's all-time top scorer.Under the management of Carlo Ancelotti and Zinedine Zidane, the Portuguese led the team to four UEFA Champions League trophies, two Spanish league titles and a series of personal distinctions, including four Ballon d'Ors (2013, 2014, 2016, 2017). His rivalry with Lionel Messi became, in those years, the engine of a fabulous era of European football.

• Italy, the third great challenge

In 2018, Ronaldo chose a new adventure: Juventus Turin. The 100 million euro transfer was a signal of ambition for Serie A. In the "bianconero" shirt, CR7 won two championship titles, an Italian Cup and the championship's top scorer title.

Although he failed to bring the Champions League to Turin, Ronaldo left behind the same mix of professionalism and absolute exigency.

In 2021, he returned to Manchester United, in a comeback full of emotion. He started excellently, scoring constantly, but tensions with coach Erik ten Hag and the team's decline hastened the end of the story. In November 2022, the club and the player terminated the contract by mutual consent. At the beginning of 2023, Ronaldo signed with Al Nassr, in Saudi Arabia, in a colossal contract. Beyond the numbers, the Portuguese became the image of a new global football project, aimed at transforming the Gulf into a center of elite sport. Even at almost 40, Ronaldo continues to score and inspire with his discipline and remarkable physical form.

• Portugal's hero

Ronaldo made his debut for the national team in 2003 and has since become the most capped player in world football history, with over 200 appearances and 125 goals. He led Portugal to their first ever European title, at EURO 2016, and lifted the UEFA Nations League in 2019. For Portuguese fans, CR7 is not just a footballer - he is the symbol of a generation and national ambition.