Cristiano Ronaldo becomes the first billionaire footballer: how he achieved it.

According to inkorr.com: Cristiano Ronaldo has become the first footballer in the world whose wealth exceeds one billion dollars. According to

Bloomberg

, the 40-year-old Portuguese reached this milestone thanks to a new contract with the

Saudi club Al-Nassr

, which increased his wealth to $1.4 billion.

Competition with Lionel Messi

Throughout their careers, Ronaldo and Lionel Messi earned roughly the same, competing not only for titles but also for the highest salaries. However, in 2023 their financial paths changed drastically: Ronaldo signed a contract with a club in Saudi Arabia, while Messi joined Inter Miami in MLS. In June, Ronaldo signed a deal with Al-Nassr worth over $400 million, placing him among the wealthiest athletes in the world.

Ronaldo shocked everyone with his move to a lesser-known club in Riyadh, stating he was seeking new challenges after he 'won everything' in Europe.

Ronaldo's bonuses at Al-Nassr

Earnings in Saudi Arabia are tax-free, and Ronaldo's contract includes several lucrative bonuses:

• a stake in the club (approximately 15% of Al-Nassr);
• access to a private jet;
• signing bonus of $30 million;
• annual salary and bonuses of around $200 million.

Path to success

Ronaldo's financial success looks impressive against the backdrop of his difficult childhood. He grew up in poverty on the island of Madeira and dropped out of school at 14 to focus on football. Aurelio Pereira, who discovered Ronaldo's talent for Sporting, remembers him as a shy boy nicknamed 'UFO' due to his incredible football skills. Today, Madeira has an international airport named after him, the CR7 museum, and the Pestana CR7 hotel.

From 2002 to 2023,

Ronaldo earned

over $550 million playing for clubs such as Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus. His contract with Nike brought him about $18 million a year, while deals with Armani and Castrol added over $175 million. From 2023, at Al-Nassr he earns approximately $200 million a year without tax deductions.

Financial achievements of other footballers

Messi, throughout his career, earned over $600 million before taxes, including $20 million guaranteed annual salary from 2023 and a deal with Apple. However, his guaranteed salary in the last two seasons amounts to only a tenth of Ronaldo's income during the same period. Both players have benefited from rising salaries that significantly surpass the lifetime earnings of previous stars, such as David Beckham, whose total income was around $100 million before retiring in 2013.

Wealth management

Ronaldo's financial management is handled by Miguel Marques from LMcapital Wealth Management, which currently manages €1.4 billion in assets. Ronaldo mainly invests in his home country, evaluating businesses alongside a close circle of friends and advisors. His business portfolio includes the CR7 brand, a hotel chain, gyms, and a media group, although these projects are not his primary sources of wealth.

Ronaldo has a significant real estate portfolio, including a mansion in Madeira and a penthouse in Lisbon that broke records for the price per square meter in the capital. He is currently completing the construction of a luxurious estate in Quinta da Marinha, at a golf resort near Lisbon, worth about €20 million.

Ronaldo is one of the oldest professional players on the field and has announced that he

plans to retire

at Al-Nassr. His dream is to own several football clubs, as David Beckham did with his Inter Miami. Part of this dream has already come true: reportedly, Ronaldo received a 15% stake in Al-Nassr as part of the contract extension.

Cristiano Ronaldo has undoubtedly laid the foundation for his wealth from a young age, and over time his ambitions and desire to reach new heights have grown alongside his wealth. By moving to Al-Nassr, he not only changed his career but also became a symbol of change in football, which is on the brink of a new era of financial opportunities.