Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo has achieved an unprecedented milestone off the pitch, becoming the first football player to join the billionaire club, driven by his contract with Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr club.

After more than 20 years of shining at Europe’s biggest clubs, from Manchester United to Real Madrid and Juventus, Ronaldo has continuously capitalized on his stardom through massive endorsement deals with brands like Nike and Armani.

But the real leap in his wealth came last June, when he signed an extension with Al Nassr worth over $400 million, raising his net worth to $1.4 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

Competition with Messi

Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have long shared the top earnings in football, but 2023 marked a significant shift; while Ronaldo moved to Saudi Arabia, Messi chose to play in the American league with Inter Miami.

Although the Argentine star will receive a stake in the American club after retirement, his income over the last two years is less than Ronaldo’s, who earns about $200 million annually, along with several other perks, Bloomberg reported.

From Poverty to a Billion: An Amazing Rise

Ronaldo was born on the Portuguese island of Madeira under difficult living conditions and had to leave school at 14 to focus on football. After shining at Sporting Lisbon, he moved to Manchester United in 2003, then to Real Madrid in a record deal in 2009, starting a journey of massive contracts and record-breaking figures.

Aurelio Pereira, who discovered Ronaldo at Sporting, described him as an “alien” due to his extraordinary talent. Today, airports, museums, and hotels in Madeira bear his name, reflecting his deep impact on his homeland.

Wealth from Contracts, Endorsements, and Real Estate

From 2002 to 2023, Ronaldo earned over $550 million in salaries, alongside an endorsement deal with Nike worth $18 million annually, and other deals with Castrol and Armani adding $175 million to his fortune. He also received a $30 million signing bonus when transferring to Al Nassr.

Messi has earned over $600 million before taxes but remains far behind Ronaldo’s wealth, despite having a revenue-sharing agreement with Apple.

Ronaldo’s wealth is managed by his financial advisor Miguel Marques, who operates from a luxury office in central Lisbon. Ronaldo is known for his loyalty to friends in his investments, participating in local projects like the City of Paddle club and acquiring the Lisboa Racket center in 2024 with help from his friend Miguel Paixão dos Santos.

Despite owning a chain of hotels, gyms, and the “CR7” brand, these ventures are not the main source of his wealth.

Luxury Real Estate and Tourist Tours to See His Home

Ronaldo owns luxury properties, including a palace in Madeira and a penthouse in Lisbon that broke the record for price per square meter. He is currently finishing a luxury villa at the Quinta da Marinha resort near Lisbon, costing nearly 20 million euros.

The new home has sparked curiosity among locals and tourists, who flock to the nearby golf course trying to catch a glimpse of the palace. Even the landowner, Miguel Chambalimod, had to ban unofficial tours attempting to photograph the house.

Cristiano Ronaldo is the most followed personality on Instagram worldwide, with over 660 million followers.

His arrival in Saudi Arabia ignited fan enthusiasm, with stadiums packed during his first matches, and he quickly became Al Nassr’s top scorer.

Ronaldo continues to defend the Saudi league, stating it is “better than the French league,” praising the kingdom’s beauty and safety, and regularly sharing photos from his trips, especially along the Red Sea coast.

Wealth from Salary, Not Investments

What distinguishes Ronaldo’s wealth from other billionaire athletes is that most of it comes from salaries, not investments. For example, tennis legend Roger Federer built his fortune from his stake in the sportswear company “On,” while Michael Jordan built his financial empire from long-term endorsement deals with Nike and his stake in the Charlotte Hornets, despite earning less than $100 million as a player.

Ronaldo’s wealth primarily depends on his athletic income, making him a unique case among billionaire athletes.

As he ages, Ronaldo approaches retirement and has previously stated he expects to end his career at Al Nassr. However, he does not intend to leave football entirely and dreams of owning several clubs, following in the footsteps of David Beckham, owner of Inter Miami.

With the wealth he has accumulated, Ronaldo’s post-retirement options seem diverse and potentially more exciting than his playing career.