Cristiano Ronaldo reached a new milestone as he became the first-ever billionaire football player, Afrosport reports.
According to The Bloomberg Billionaires Index, a tracking system of the wealthiest people in the world based on their net worth, puts the 40-year-old Portugal superstar’s valuation at $1.4 billion.
The valuation takes into consideration his career earnings, investments and endorsements which saw him earn more than $550 million in wages at Al Nassr between 2002 and 2023. He joined the Saudi Pro League giants in January 2022 and was the highest paid player in the world on $237 million per year in wages.
He however signed a two-year contract extension that will see him earn $400 million per year. He also has a long-term deal with American sportswear giant Nike worth almost $18 million a year.
Argentina and Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi is the next most valuable football player in the world with more than $600 million in career earnings.
The 38-year-old former Barcelona star could however break into the billionaire bracket in the near future as is set to become a shareholder at Inter Miami when he retires.
The Major League Soccer franchise is currently valued at $1.2 billion per Forbes as the 16th richest club in the world.
