Cristiano Ronaldo has made history by becoming the first active football player to achieve billionaire status, as reported by the Bloomberg Billionaire Index, which recognized the Portuguese star’s net worth for the first time this week.
Ronaldo, who is already the highest-earning player in the sport, saw a significant increase in his wealth this year following a lucrative contract extension with Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, valued at over $400 million.
Bloomberg highlighted that his tax-free income in Saudi Arabia, combined with profitable endorsement deals with companies like Armani and Nike, contributed to his net worth exceeding the billion-dollar milestone.
At 40 years old, Ronaldo joins an exclusive group of billionaire athletes, including Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods, but he is the first to reach this level while still actively playing. Despite his remarkable financial achievements and illustrious career, Ronaldo has expressed his intention to continue playing.
He remarked, “People, especially my family, say: ‘It’s time for you to stop. You’ve done everything. Why do you want to score a thousand goals?’ But I don’t think so. I believe I’m still delivering strong performances, contributing to my club and the national team, so why not keep going?”
Ronaldo added, “I’m certain that when I retire, I’ll feel fulfilled because I gave it my all. Although I know my playing years are limited, I aim to make the most of the time I have left.”
