Cristiano Ronaldo has become the first billionaire footballer, according to a report.
The Al Nassr and Portugal striker’s net worth has been estimated at $1.4 billion (£1.04 billion) by the latest Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
The valuation puts Ronaldo among a small group of billionaire athletes, including basketball greats Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and LeBron James, as well as golfer Tiger Woods and tennis player Roger Federer.
Photo: Reuters
Bloomberg said that between 2002, when he began his career at Portuguese side Sporting CP, and 2023, Ronaldo earned more than $550 million (£410.4 million) in salary.
This was supplemented by a decade-long sponsorship from Nike, worth almost $18 million (£13.4 million) a year, and support from brands like Armani and Castrol, adding more than $175 million (£130.6 million) to his fortune.
After leave Manchester United by mutual consent, Ronaldo signed for Al Nassr in 2023and became the highest-paid player in history with a salary of around $237.2 million (£177 million) – plus bonuses and a 15% share in the club.
Still playing at 40, Ronaldo has just signed a new contract with the Saudi club, reportedly worth more than $400 million (£298.5 million).
Read more on Sky News:
Trump says Democratic politicians should be jailed
Daughter suspected of attacking German mayor – police
With the World Cup Next year, Ronaldo shows no signs of hanging up his boots, saying at the Portugal Football Globes gala on Tuesday: “I still have a passion for it.
“My family says it’s time to stop and they ask me why I want to score 1,000 goals when I’ve already scored like 900. But I don’t think that way inside.
“I continue to produce good things, I help my club and the national team. Why not continue? I’m sure that when I finish, I will leave full because I gave everything.
“I know I don’t have many years left to play, but the few years I have left I have to make the most of them.”
Bloomberg also reported that Inter Miami and Argentina Lionel Messi earned more than $600 million (£448 million) in salary throughout his career, but did not find him a billionaire like his career rival.