Cristiano Ronaldo makes history as football’s first billionaire

Zuko Komisa

Cristiano Ronaldo, the celebrated Portuguese forward, has officially become the first footballer in history to achieve billionaire status.

The Al-Nassr star’s net worth is now estimated at $1.4 billion (£1.1 billion), according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

The monumental milestone follows his lucrative two-year contract extension signed with Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr in June, reportedly worth over $400 million, including equity and bonuses.

Ronaldo, 40, is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time.

A five-time Ballon d’Or winner and a five-time UEFA Champions League champion, he is the all-time leading goalscorer in men’s international football. He has previously had hugely successful spells at Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus.

Ronaldo’s vast fortune has been accumulated primarily through his substantial on-field earnings since his professional debut in 2002, lucrative, long-term endorsement deals with brands such as Nike, and a rapidly expanding portfolio of personal business ventures, which include the ‘CR7’ hotel and fashion lines.