Cristiano Ronaldo has become the first billionaire footballer, according to a report.
The Al Nassr and Portugal striker’s net worth has been estimated at $1.4bn (£1.04bn) by the latest Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
The valuation puts Ronaldo among a small group of billionaire athletes including basketball greats Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and LeBron James, as well as golfer Tiger Woods and tennis player Roger Federer.
Pic: Reuters
Bloomberg said that between 2002, when he started his career at the Portuguese team Sporting CP, to 2023, Ronaldo earned more than $550m (£410.4m) in salary.
That was supplemented with a decade-long sponsorship by Nike, worth close to $18m (£13.4m) per year, and endorsements from brands like Armani and Castrol, adding more than $175m (£130.6m) to his fortune.
After leaving Manchester United by mutual consent, Ronaldo signed for Al Nassr in 2023, and became the highest-paid player in history with a salary of around $237.2m (£177m) – plus bonuses and a reported 15% share in the club
Still playing at 40 years old, Ronaldo has just signed a new contract with the Saudi side, reportedly worth more than $400m (£298.5m).
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With the World Cup next year, Ronaldo shows no sign of hanging up his boots, telling the Portugal Football Globes gala on Tuesday: “I still have a passion for this.
“My family says it’s time to quit and they ask me why I want to score 1,000 goals if I’ve already scored 900-something. But I don’t think that way inside.
“I’m still producing good things, I’m helping my club and the national team. Why not continue? I am sure that when I finish I will leave full because I gave everything of myself.
“I know I don’t have many years left to play, but the few I have left, I have to enjoy them to the fullest.”
Bloomberg also reported that Inter Miami and Argentina’s Lionel Messi earned more than $600m (£448m) in salary throughout his career, but did not find him to be a billionaire like his career rival.
