Who was the first football billionaire?

Cristiano Ronaldo and the rise of football’s global megastar economy

Cristiano Ronaldo has been one of football’s defining players for more than two decades. His career has taken him from Madeira to Manchester, Madrid, Turin and Riyadh, collecting trophies, awards and scoring records along the way. 

Now, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, he has crossed another milestone: he is the first footballer to be valued as a billionaire.

Bloomberg’s valuation estimates Ronaldo’s net worth at around £1.04 billion. This figure combines career salary, endorsement income, long-term commercial agreements, and investments, including a reported 15% stake in Al Nassr. 

It marks a shift in how footballers operate at the very top of the sport.

Where the money came from

Ronaldo’s career earnings are massive. Bloomberg reports that between 2002 and 2023, he earned more than £410m in player salaries alone. 

His current deal with Al Nassr is one of the most lucrative contracts ever offered in football, worth more than £298m across the term, and structured without any tax deductions.

Off the pitch, Ronaldo has built a broad commercial portfolio. His partnership with Nike, which pays close to £13.4m a year, is one of the most significant individual athlete sponsorship deals in sport. He has also featured in major campaigns with lifestyle, luxury, tech and personal care brands, generating hundreds of millions in combined revenue across his career.

Ronaldo has spoken openly about growing up without financial security. He’s described moments where food wasn’t guaranteed and the smallest opportunities mattered. Those experiences shaped how he handles both football and business. The drive to improve, to stay at the top, and to remain relevant is central to his identity.

Messi and the comparison that always follows

Lionel Messi has also earned more than £447m in salary during his career and continues to expand his commercial partnerships, including his MLS agreement which includes ownership incentives. Messi will likely remain close in total valuation for years.

Ronaldo reached the billionaire milestone first. The timing is significant because it marks the moment when individual players became global commercial forces on the same scale as clubs, leagues and competitions.

What this means for football

The sport has changed. Top-level football now creates value on and off the pitch. Players at the top have influence across broadcast markets, commercial partnerships, digital communities and cultural identity. 

Clubs now compete not only for football talent, but for global relevance. Ronaldo was one of the first to operate at that level, turning performances into influence and influence into long-term security.

It didn’t happen all at once. It came from years of scoring, competing, staying relevant and treating every match like another step forward. The market rewards players who produce results, sustain performance, remain visible and build lasting recognition.

Ronaldo’s story is pretty damn rare, but the idea behind it is familiar to supporters: making the most of your moment when it comes along.

Follow star-driven matches with Match Bingo

Ronaldo built a fortune by making the most of key moments. Match Bingo lets you enjoy your own version of that feeling, with chances to win big from the action unfolding on the pitch. 

You don’t need to play like Ronaldo to enjoy a win. You just need to follow the match, pick out the patterns, and stay ready when the game tilts your way. Sometimes you end up in the right place at the right time, and that’s part of the fun.

If you enjoy the feeling that something is about to happen, this is where to follow it.