Most goals in men’s international football, five Ballon d’Or triumphs, are some of the achievements associated with Cristiano Ronaldo for his on-field prowess. But off-the-field, he has also earned an echelon
that has previously been reserved for retired legends like Pele or off-field moguls such as Faiq Bolkiah, the Bruneian prince whose wealth reportedly stems more from royal oil riches than bootlaces. The seismic leap underscores Ronaldo's evolution from prodigious talent to global empire-builder. Cristiano Ronaldo has added the accolade of being a billionaire to his ledger.
40-year-old Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo became the first active footballer to amass a net worth exceeding $1 billion, propelled by a contract extension with Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr. According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Ronaldo's fortune now stands at an estimated $1.4 billion. Signed in June 2025, the two-year extension, running through June 2027 carries a reported value of up to USD676 million, reportedly excluding ancillary perks such as, a 15% ownership stake in Al-Nassr (valued at around USD33 million), a USD33.7 million signing bonus, private jet allowances, and a 16-member personal entourage including chefs, gardeners, and security detail, all footed by the club. Reports claim that Ronaldo’s annual salary alone clocks in at USD225 million to USD310 million, depending on the source, translating to USD600,000 per day or USD80,000 per goal. Bonuses reportedly sweeten the pot further with USD110,000 for each strike, USD55,000 per assist (both rising 20% in year two), USD11 million for a league title, and USD5.5 million for the Golden Boot.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s pact with Al-Nassr in 2023 made him the world’s highest paid athlete
Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Al-Nassr in January 2023 was already claimed to be a watershed, inking a 2.5-year pact worth USD200 million annually that made him the world's highest-paid athlete, a perch he's held for three straight years per Forbes. Back then, fresh off a reportedly acrimonious Manchester United exit, the Madeira native traded Champions League glamour for Gulf opulence, igniting a star exodus to the Saudi Pro League (SPL). Yet silverware has eluded him; despite 103 goals in 116 appearances, Al-Nassr's lone trophy under Ronaldo remains the 2023 Arab Club Champions Cup. Last season's third-place finish with 13 points adrift of champions Al-Ittihad stung, but his individual haul, including back-to-back Golden Boots, has reportedly kept the faith.
The extension silenced summer whispers of a European swansong or MLS dalliance. "Al Nassr forever," Ronaldo declared in a beachfront teaser video, striding Riyadh's shores like a conqueror reclaiming his domain. With Saudi Arabia gearing up to host the 2034 World Cup, Ronaldo isn't just a player he's a billboard, drawing eyeballs to a league once reportedly dismissed as a “graveyard for the greats.” Cristiano Ronaldo’s milestone eclipses peers like Lionel Messi, who trails at $800 million career earnings. LeBron James ($1.2 billion) and Tiger Woods (retired, $1.3 billion) are among those who share the athlete-billionaire club.
