Cristiano Ronaldo becomes first billionaire footballer

Cristiano Ronaldo has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first footballer to reach billionaire status. This landmark achievement was confirmed by the Bloomberg Billionaire Index, which tracks the wealth of the world’s richest individuals. The index evaluated Ronaldo’s net worth for the first time, factoring in his career earnings, lucrative investments, and high-profile endorsements. According to the index, Ronaldo’s net worth stands at an impressive US$1.4 billion (£1.04 billion). Over his illustrious career spanning from 2002 to 2023, Ronaldo has amassed more than US$550 million (£410 million) in salary alone. This figure includes substantial earnings from endorsement deals, such as his decade-long partnership with Nike, which reportedly paid him nearly US$18 million (£13.4 million) annually. In 2022, Ronaldo made headlines by joining Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, where his annual salary exceeded US$237 million (£177 million). His initial contract concluded in June 2025, and he subsequently signed a new two-year deal reportedly worth over US$400 million (£298 million). This achievement not only cements Ronaldo’s legacy as one of the greatest footballers of all time but also highlights his unparalleled success off the pitch.