Cristiano Ronaldo is a billionaire; the first soccer player to earn that distinction, and he did it largely through his playing contracts with Saudi Arabia rather than outside business ventures.
Billionaire Baller
The 40-year-old Portugal native’s pathway to 10-figure net worth contrasts with that of sports figures like Michael Jordan, who became a billionaire through his Jordan Brand partnership with Nike; Magic Johnson, whose fortune stems from owning local franchises and media ventures in major markets; and LeBron James, whose billionaire status comes largely from endorsement deals.
Although Ronaldo has his own business ventures and sponsorships, they contribute relatively little to his $1.4 billion net worth, which Forbes and Bloomberg estimate is driven primarily by his record-breaking playing contracts with Al-Nassr and salary earnings.
So it seems Ronaldo can more than afford the $1 million ring he got his girlfeind Georgina Rodríguez earlier this year. The ring and its cost when viral when sh posted a photo of the stunning oval-shaped diamond on Instagamwith the caption, “Yes I do. In this and in all my lives.” Jewelry experts estimate the ring’s value at over $1 million, noting that the dazzling diamond could weigh between 10 and 15 carats.
Soccer — or football, as it’s known to the rest of the world — is a global business built on massive club franchises, deep-pocketed owners, and international fan bases.
Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr has a clear vision to compete with Europe’s elite, and with Ronaldo now leading the charge, the superstar who dominated on the European stage is hoping to bring that same success to the Middle East.
Ronaldo spent the bulk of his career in Europe, starring for Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus, Reuters reported.
During that time, he won nearly every major honor: five Ballon d’Or awards, five UEFA Champions League titles, three Premier League titles, two La Liga championships, and multiple domestic cups.
Since moving to Al-Nassr in 2023, Ronaldo hasn’t yet added comparable trophies, but he’s bringing his experience, star power, and goal-scoring pedigree to help elevate the club and the league’s profile.
Between 2002 and 2023, he reportedly made over $550 million in salary in UEFA. He made an additional $175 million from endorsements, bringing his total of $725 million.
However, his Saudi Arabia contracts pushed him over the $1 billion mark less than two years in after signing a two-year contract extension in June that is reported by Bloomberg as being worth more than $400 million. His salary is tax-free because he in Saudi Arabia, Fortune reports.
Ronaldo has come a long way from his childhood of poverty in Portugal as one of four siblings in a troubled household where the kids would stay patiently outside of a local McDonald’s to claim its food waste.
