Cristiano Ronaldo has officially entered an elite financial stratosphere: the Portuguese megastar has become the world’s first billionaire footballer.
With an estimated net worth of US $1.4 billion at 40, Cristiano Ronaldo’s wealth reflects decades of record salaries, world-class sponsorships, and calculated business ventures. His fortune encompasses a record-breaking contract signed in June with Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, reportedly worth over US$400 million.
Over the course of his successful career, Ronaldo has made his money from numerous sources. Between 2002 and 2023, he amassed more than US$550 million in salary alone. In parallel, long-term commercial partnerships, most notably with Nike, have added further heft to his wealth: for example, a decade-long Nike agreement reportedly paid him nearly US$18 million per year. Other brands such as Armani and Castrol also contributed strong returns.
Even before his Al-Nassr deal, Ronaldo had already become one of the highest-paid athletes in history. His move from Manchester United to the Saudi side back in 2023 made him the highest-earning player ever, with a base salary of £177 million (approx. US$237.5 million) plus bonuses and reportedly a 15 per cent stake in the club.
Ronaldo’s billionaire status now places him among a very select class of athletes, alongside figures such as Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Tiger Woods and Roger Federer, who have crossed the billion-dollar threshold in net worth.
Despite approaching the twilight of his playing career, Ronaldo has expressed no appetite for immediate retirement. “I still have a passion for this,” he recently stated at the Portugal Football Globes gala. He acknowledged that his family sometimes questions his pursuit of further goals but insisted that as long as he remains capable, he will continue to play, help his club and national team, and give everything.
This landmark achievement underscores how the modern super-athlete is no longer measured simply by trophies or goals but increasingly by brand value, commercial acumen and global influence—elements that Ronaldo has mastered as well as any athlete in history.
