Cristiano Ronaldo reported as football’s first billionaire after Al-Nassr contract extension | OneFootball

Bloomberg reports that Cristiano Ronaldo has become football’s first billionaire, following a new Al-Nassr deal.

The 40-year-old has long shared the sport’s top billing with Lionel Messi, but this is one area where he now leads. Ronaldo moved to the Saudi Pro League in 2023, while Messi joined Major League Soccer in the United States.

At Al-Nassr, Ronaldo earns the highest average annual pay of any sportsperson. Earnings in Saudi Arabia are tax-free, so his take-home exceeds what he received at Real Madrid or Manchester United.

The valuation puts his net worth at USD 1.4 billion. It includes more than USD 550 million in European salaries between 2002 and 2023.

A decade-long Nike agreement is worth USD 18 million a year, with further endorsements, including Armani and Castrol, adding over USD 175 million.

Since joining Al-Nassr in 2023, he has earned around USD 200 million a year in salary and bonuses, plus a USD 30 million signing bonus.

The milestone was reportedly sealed by a contract extension signed in June 2025, said to be worth over USD 400 million, and a 15% stake in Al-Nassr.

With more than 660 million Instagram followers, notable property holdings and multiple investments, Ronaldo looks set to remain among the world’s top earners well beyond retirement.

Source: Sports.ndtv.com