Football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has set another milestone in his career. This time, the record isn't for goals or trophies, but for his wealth.
Sports News: Football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has achieved a new historic milestone in his career. This time, the record is not for his goals or trophies, but for his wealth and bank balance. According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Ronaldo's net worth is estimated at 1.4 billion US dollars (approximately 11,50,00,00,000 Indian Rupees), making him the first billionaire footballer.
Bloomberg stated that this is the first time Ronaldo's wealth has been included in this index. This valuation has made him the highest-earning player in world football, surpassing his long-time rival Lionel Messi.
Ronaldo's Salary and Club Career
The largest portion of Ronaldo's earnings has come from his club salaries. His salary in Europe was comparable to Messi's, but a significant difference in his earnings emerged when he signed for Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr in 2023. Under this deal, Ronaldo received a tax-free annual salary of 200 million US dollars, which also included a 30 million US dollar signing bonus. According to Bloomberg, from 2002 to 2023, Ronaldo earned a total of over 550 million US dollars in salary.
Another major pillar of Ronaldo's wealth is his brand endorsements. His ten-year contract with Nike earns him approximately 18 million US dollars annually. Additionally, partnerships with Armani, Castrol, and other global brands have added approximately 175 million US dollars to his wealth.
Ronaldo has also invested in hotels, gyms, and the fashion industry under his CR7 brand. He owns several luxury properties, including an estate at the Quinta da Marinha high-end golf resort near Lisbon, which is reportedly valued at approximately 20 million euros.
Comparison with Messi
Ronaldo's long-time rival, Lionel Messi, has earned a total of approximately 600 million US dollars in pre-tax salary throughout his career. When Messi joined Inter Miami in 2023, he was guaranteed an annual salary of 20 million US dollars. However, brand endorsements and business investments have been major contributors to Ronaldo's total earnings, putting him ahead of Messi.
