Cristiano Ronaldo is officially a billionaire, according to Bloomberg, thanks to his contract with Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr.
Newsweek reached out to Ronaldo’s representative via email for comment on Wednesday.
Why It Matters
Ronaldo’s reported transformation into soccer’s first billionaire is a landmark moment in sports economics. His recent contract extension with Saudi Arabian team Al-Nassr not only redefines player compensation but signals the increasing influence of Gulf states in global sports. Ronaldo’s record earnings now reshape the benchmarks for athlete wealth, branding potential and cross-continental transfers. As a case study, it encapsulates the broader economic forces shaping professional soccer and global celebrity athletes.
What To Know
Bloomberg reports that Ronaldo, the 40-year-old Portuguese national, has become the world’s first billionaire soccer star following his renewed deal with Al-Nassr. His net worth now stands at approximately $1.4 billion, per the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. This milestone was fueled by a June 2025 contract extension reportedly valued at over $400 million, making him soccer’s highest-earner and eclipsing all previous annual wages in the sport’s history.
This new deal combines a tax-free base salary, performance-linked bonuses, a $30 million signing bonus, equity in Al-Nassr and private jet access. The Sporting News previously reported that his annual salary under the new agreement is about $211 million per year, slightly lower than the prior $213 million but supplemented by substantial commercial rights and ownership stakes.
Ronaldo’s wealth is not solely dependent on his playing contract. For more than two decades, he has secured lucrative corporate partnerships, notably with Nike, Armani and other global brands. Bloomberg calculates that he earned over $550 million in salary between 2002 and 2023, alongside an estimated $18 million per year from Nike and at least $175 million in additional endorsements. His CR7 brand extends into hospitality, fashion, gyms and fragrances, magnifying his earnings through diversified ventures, the Financial Express reported.
How Cristiano Ronaldo’s Net Worth Compares to Messi’s
Ronaldo’s net worth now comfortably exceeds that of his longtime rival, Lionel Messi. Bloomberg and other outlets estimate Messi’s pre-tax career earnings at more than $600 million, boosted by recent contracts with Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami, where Messi reportedly received $20 million per year and a unique revenue-sharing arrangement with Apple, investment platform Invezz states. Meanwhile, Ronaldo’s income for just two seasons at Al-Nassr is estimated to be about 10 times Messi’s guaranteed earnings in that timeframe, underscoring the extraordinary nature of the Saudi contract.
Both Ronaldo and Messi have benefited from the swelling wage inflation in elite soccer, but Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr deal stands out for its size, structure and off-field benefits. Previous soccer stars such as David Beckham, who retired in 2013 with a reported $100 million in earnings, are dwarfed by the era-defining sums attached to today’s top-tier deals.
What People Are Saying
Ronaldo—who famously played for Real Madrid and Manchester United—acknowledged the magnitude of the move, stating at the time of the Al-Nassr transfer in 2023, per the London Evening Standard: “I can say now I had many opportunities in Europe, many clubs in Brazil, Australia, USA, even in Portugal many tried to sign me. But I gave my word to this club not only to develop the club, but the country. I know what I want, but I also know what I don’t want… In Europe my work is done. I won everything, I played at the most important clubs and for me now it is a new challenge in Asia… I’m a unique player, I beat all the records there [Europe], so I want to beat a few here. This contract is unique, because I’m unique, so this is normal.”
What Happens Next
Ronaldo has signed a contract with Al-Nassr through 2027, potentially extending his earning power into his early forties. As he continues to compete in the Saudi Pro League, his visibility is expected to promote both the growth of soccer in the Middle East and the expansion of the CR7 brand globally. His move also sets a precedent—both in financial and cultural terms—for future high-profile athletes weighing lucrative Gulf offers.
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