Stephen Azeyi
Cristiano Ronaldo has reached a new milestone, becoming the first active footballer to join the billionaires club with a net worth of $1.4 billion, according to Bloomberg’s Billionaires Index.
The 40-year-old Portuguese forward achieved this through his latest two-year contract extension with Saudi club Al-Nassr in June, worth more than $400 million tax-free and including a 15% stake in the team. Forbes confirmed him as the world’s highest-paid athlete in 2025, earning $275 million from July 2024 to June 2025—$200 million from salary and $75 million from endorsements like Nike and Herbalife.
Ronaldo first crossed $1 billion in career earnings as an active team-sport athlete in 2020, per Forbes. Since joining Al-Nassr in December 2022 on a $200 million-a-year deal, Ronaldo has scored over 100 goals for the club, including his 100th in the Saudi Super Cup final against Al Ahli on September 26. He has added five more goals in six appearances this season.
With 946 career goals for club and country, Ronaldo aims for 1,000 before retiring, despite family pleas to ease up. He skipped Portugal’s recent Nations League matches for rest but plans a return for the 2026 World Cup.
From humble roots in Madeira to global icon, Ronaldo’s empire includes CR7 hotels, a clothing line, and fitness ventures. His Saudi move has drawn criticism over human rights, but he highlights the league’s progress.
WebTopTrends.com tracks top sports stories. What’s next for CR7? Comment below.
