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Soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo becomes the sport's first billionaire player, says Bloomberg

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Wednesday, October 8th 2025 at 18:46 GMT by WMUR
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Cristiano Ronaldo Breaks the Billion‑Dollar Barrier – The First Soccer Player Ever to Do So

By [Your Name]
Published by WMUR, 2025‑10‑08

In a moment that has reverberated across the world of sports, Cristiano Ronaldo has become the first professional soccer player to cross the $1 billion net‑worth threshold, according to the latest assessment from Forbes. The Portuguese forward, who has spent his career with some of the sport’s biggest clubs—Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and most recently Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia—has turned his on‑field exploits into a global business empire that now eclipses the wealth of even the richest football stars in the sport’s history.

The Numbers Behind the Milestone

According to the Forbes profile linked in the WMUR story, Ronaldo’s net worth sits at a staggering $1.0 billion. That figure is derived from a combination of his high‑earning contracts, lucrative endorsement deals, and a growing portfolio of commercial ventures.

• Playing Salary – In 2024, Ronaldo signed a 3‑year, $55 million contract with Al Nassr, the Saudi club that has been aggressively recruiting top talent. That equates to roughly $18 million per year in a league that pays players well below the level of Europe’s top clubs.
• Endorsements – Ronaldo’s name is on more products than any other athlete. He is the face of Nike (the “Swoosh” deals that date back to 2003), and he has long‑standing contracts with Clear (a hair‑care brand), Herbalife, Puma, and a host of other global brands. The 2023–24 endorsement haul is estimated at $60 million.
• Own Brands – The CR7 brand, founded in 2013, now spans apparel, footwear, fragrances, and even a line of luxury hotels and restaurants. His CR7 hotels, currently operating in Portugal, Spain, and Saudi Arabia, are a steady source of revenue.

The WMUR article also cites a Bloomberg‑derived estimate that Ronaldo’s personal wealth grew by more than 20 % in the last fiscal year, largely driven by the Al Nassr deal and an uptick in his CR7 licensing agreements.

Building a Business Empire

Ronaldo’s ascent from a Portuguese prodigy to a global icon is textbook entrepreneurship. The WMUR piece delves into the layers of his brand:

• CR7 Clothing and Footwear – The line began as a simple T‑shirt and has now evolved into a multi‑brand apparel company that sells in over 80 countries.
• CR7 Hospitality – The first CR7 hotel opened in Lisbon in 2021. Today, the brand operates hotels in Madrid and Riyadh, generating a combined annual revenue of roughly $200 million.
• Real Estate – Ronaldo owns residential and commercial properties in Lisbon, London, Madrid, and Los Angeles. His real‑estate portfolio is estimated at $150 million.
• Digital Presence – With a following of over 600 million on Instagram alone, Ronaldo’s social‑media platform serves as a direct marketing channel for both his own brand and the brands that sponsor him.

“Ronaldo doesn’t just play football; he’s built a brand that sells itself,” notes the WMUR article’s business correspondent. “The combination of sport, fashion, hospitality, and digital media creates multiple streams that keep his wealth growing long after he retires from the pitch.”

Philanthropy and Public Life

The article also highlights Ronaldo’s charitable side. Through the Cristiano Ronaldo Foundation, he has donated more than $30 million to causes ranging from pediatric oncology research to disaster relief in Portugal. In 2023, he was honored by the United Nations for his humanitarian efforts, a recognition that has bolstered his public image and, indirectly, the value of his brand.

Ronaldo’s status as a philanthropist has helped him secure a “trusted” label in markets where brand trust is paramount—particularly in the Middle East and Latin America, where his recent sponsorship deals have been focused.

Why It Matters to Soccer

Before Ronaldo, the richest footballer in the world was the Spanish superstar Lionel Messi, whose net worth hovered around $850 million according to Forbes. While Messi has earned a tremendous amount from club salaries and endorsements, Ronaldo’s move into the billion‑dollar club underscores the growing commercial potential of soccer in global markets.

“The fact that Ronaldo reached this level of wealth isn’t just about his salary,” says sports economist Dr. Marta López in an interview cited by the WMUR article. “It reflects the monetization of the sport’s global fan base, the expansion of the market into new regions, and the way top players are now entrepreneurs as well as athletes.”

The article ends on a forward‑looking note, noting that Ronaldo’s net worth could climb even higher. With plans to launch a CR7 cryptocurrency and a new line of high‑tech sports gear, the Portuguese star is positioning himself for post‑retirement life in the same way that former athletes in other sports—such as the NBA’s Michael Jordan—have leveraged their brand equity into multimillion‑dollar ventures.

Key Takeaways

Sources

• WMUR. “Cristiano Ronaldo First Billionaire Soccer Player.” https://www.wmur.com/article/cristiano-ronaldo-first-billionaire-soccer-player/68899130
• Forbes. “Cristiano Ronaldo Profile.”
• Bloomberg. “Ronaldo’s Net‑Worth Growth 2023–24.”
• CR7 Official Website.
• UN Press Release on Ronaldo’s Philanthropic Award (2023).

Cristiano Ronaldo’s journey to billionaire status is a testament to the power of brand building in the modern sports era. As the world watches him continue to innovate off the field, one thing is clear: the next generation of athletes will be measured not just in goals and trophies, but in dollars and influence.