Cristiano Ronaldo has become the first football player to reach billionaire status according to the latest report from the Bloomberg Billionaire Index, which calculated his net worth to an estimate of $1.4 billion (£1.04 billion). 

‍The report stated that between 2002 and 2023 Ronaldo earned £410 million in salary, playing for 6 clubs, including Real Madrid, Juventus and Manchester United. Off the pitch he stacked up millions of pounds in deals and endorsements working with brands like Nike and Armani, making his first appearance in the business world in 2006 after launching his brand ‘CR7’. The brand released underwear, footwear and custom fragrances and was valued at an estimate of £663 million in 2023.

The 40-year-old footballer became the best paid player when he signed a £177 million deal with Saudi Pro League team “Al-Nassr” in 2022, leading them as their new captain. When the deal ended in June 2025 Ronaldo extended his career with the team signing a new 2 year contract reportedly worth nearly £300 million. In 2003, Ronaldo signed a £12 million contract with Manchester United - a record deal for a teenager at the time. He was also the club’s first Portuguese football player.

Manchester United manager, Alex Ferguson was impressed by Cristiano’s skill, describing him as “one of the most exciting young players” he’d ever seen. Endorsed by the rest of the team, Ferguson was set on permanently having the Portuguese forward on his team, winning 10 trophies in his 6 year stretch with the club before joining Real Madrid in 2009.

Throughout his highly decorated career, Ronaldo has continued to break multiple records, receiving the prestigious Ballon D’or award 5 times and becoming the highest scorer in international football with 141 goals in 223 appearances. In September 2024 during Portugal's UEFA Nations League game against Croatia, Cristiano broke another record becoming the first men’s player to score 900 goals in official matches.

Ronaldo’s latest milestone places him amongst the elite group of athletes that have reached billionaire status, joining stars like Lebron James, Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods that hold the same ranking. Bloomberg also reported that a percentage of the billionaire’s wealth comes from several investments in hotel chains and gyms, citing that he’s a partial owner of a Portuguese media company that launched in October 2023.

Despite his age, the footballer has no plans to retire just yet. "I still have a passion for this," he said at the Portugal Football Globes gala. "My family says it's time to quit and they ask me why I want to score 1000 goals if I've already scored 900-something. But I don't think that way inside.” With an unwavering passion for the sport and undeniable talent, Cristiano Ronaldo is on track to continuously breaking records and remaining one of the greatest football players of all time.