In the golden twilight of his legendary career, Cristiano Ronaldo has reached yet another impossible summit — he has become the first billionaire footballer in history.
The man who once chased dreams on the streets of Madeira now stands shoulder to shoulder with titans of global wealth. According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, the 40-year-old Portuguese icon’s fortune is now estimated at $1.4 billion, cementing his name not just in football, but in the pantheon of global legends.
here are some Tweets
Cristiano Ronaldo is officially football's first billionaire, as per @Forbes 🤑 pic.twitter.com/FLTXxiHMmW
— GOAL (@goal) June 5, 2020
From Humble Beginnings to Historic Heights
Ronaldo’s journey reads like a modern epic — a tale of grit, glory, and unrelenting willpower. From his early days at Sporting Lisbon, he dazzled fans at Manchester United, ascended to celestial heights at Real Madrid, and carried his brilliance to Juventus and beyond.
His return to the global spotlight came with his move to Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia — a contract reportedly worth over $400 million, signed in June. This extension not only redefined football’s financial landscape but also propelled Ronaldo’s fortune to a new dimension.
Bloomberg reports that between 2002 and 2023, Ronaldo earned more than $550 million in salaries alone. Add to that his decade-long Nike deal worth nearly $18 million per year, along with partnerships with Armani, Castrol, and a constellation of luxury brands, and you have the perfect formula for football’s first billionaire.
ronaldo first Billionare video
The Al-Nassr Chapter: Legacy Beyond Europe
When Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr in 2023, critics called it the twilight of his career. But the numbers told a different story. With an annual salary of £177 million ($237.5 million) and additional bonuses — including a 15% share in the club’s revenue — Ronaldo didn’t just play for Al-Nassr; he transformed it.
The Saudi Pro League witnessed record-breaking attendances, skyrocketing sponsorships, and global eyes turning eastward — all powered by the charisma and legacy of one man.
Standing Among Legends
Becoming a billionaire places Ronaldo among a sacred brotherhood of sports icons — names that echo across generations.
He now joins Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Magic Johnson, Tiger Woods, and Roger Federer in a league of athletic immortals who turned their sporting excellence into empires.
Meanwhile, his eternal rival Lionel Messi has also crossed astonishing financial heights, earning more than $600 million in pre-tax salary during his glittering career. Yet, in this particular race — wealth — it is Ronaldo who stands alone atop the summit.
The Fire Still Burns
Despite his towering success and vast wealth, Ronaldo insists that his passion for football burns as brightly as ever. Speaking at the Portugal Football Globes Gala, his words carried the same conviction that has driven him for decades:
“I still have a passion for this,” Ronaldo said. “My family tells me it’s time to quit, and they ask why I want to score 1,000 goals if I’ve already scored 900-something. But I don’t think that way. I’m still producing good things. I’m helping my club and my national team. Why not continue?”
He smiled as he added,
“I know I don’t have many years left to play, but the few I have — I’ll enjoy them to the fullest.”
More Than a Billionaire — A Symbol of Relentless Human Spirit
For Cristiano Ronaldo, the numbers — the goals, the trophies, the dollars — have always been milestones, not destinations. What truly defines him is his discipline, sacrifice, and unbreakable belief in himself.
His billionaire status is not just a measure of wealth — it’s a monument to decades of sweat, sleepless nights, and endless ambition. It’s proof that dreams don’t stop when you achieve them; they evolve.
As the world celebrates this new chapter, one thing remains clear:
Ronaldo’s story isn’t about money — it’s about mastery.
And even as time begins to whisper its limits, Cristiano Ronaldo continues to outrun it — chasing one more goal, one more moment, one more miracle.
Cristiano Ronaldo — from the boy who dreamed in Madeira to the billionaire who conquered the world.
A footballer, a fighter, a phenomenon — and now, a living legend etched in both sport and history.













