Cristiano Ronaldo is a legendary football player and is admired by fans all over the world, but he's also built an impressive business empire. And while he might not have the wealth of some of the richest people in the world such as Warren Buffett and Bill Gates, he’s still very rich.
According to Forbes, Ronaldo is worth a whopping $260 million, making him one of the world’s highest-paid athletes.
Here we look at how Cristiano Ronaldo built his fortune and the factors contributing to his net wealth today.
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Cristiano Ronaldo’s football career
Cristiano Ronaldo's football career is one of the most storied in the history of the sport. Born in Madeira, Portugal, in 1985, Ronaldo began playing football at a young age and quickly caught the attention of scouts from some of Europe's top clubs. Talent spotters were impressed by the young player’s ambition and skill on the pitch.
He didn’t waste any time rising to the top of the game, signing up with top-flight club Manchester United in 2003, a move that catapulted Ronaldo’s career to new heights.
Over the next six years at the club, he was a key part of its winning team. Manchester United won numerous league titles and Champions League trophies, with Ronaldo in the team, and he was also recognised for his personal skill, winning his first Ballon d'Or award in 2008.
In 2009, Ronaldo achieved the first of what would become a string of world-record transfer fees. Real Madrid paid £80m (approximately $131m at the time) for the player.
This expensive purchase turned out to be a great decision for Real Madrid. Ronaldo quickly established himself as the team’s top player, leading the club to multiple league titles and four Champions League trophies. Along the way, he won three more Ballon d'Or awards and cemented his status as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport.
After dominating the field at Real Madrid, Ronaldo transferred to Juventus in 2018. There he continued to play at a high level, leading the team to two Serie A titles, despite being in his mid-30s.
The footballer's earnings at these top-tier clubs have provided the bulk of his net wealth, and his current contract is his biggest yet. The footballer returned to Manchester United in August 2021, and a year later made his biggest switch.
Ronaldo spent all of his career playing in Europe until he signed with the Saudi Arabian club, Al Nassr in 2022. According to reports, the player was offered around $213m a year by Al Nassr, with the bulk of this relating to image rights and commercial deals. That's nearly $18m a month.
Cristiano Ronaldo's business career
Ronaldo is not just a football player, but a savvy businessman.
One of his most notable business ventures is his partnership with Pestana Hotel Group. In 2015, Ronaldo teamed up with the luxury hotel chain to open his first hotel, Pestana CR7, in his hometown of Funchal, Madeira.
The hotel features 48 rooms, suites and a rooftop pool and bar. It has been a popular destination for tourists and football fans alike. Ronaldo has since opened additional hotels in Lisbon and Madrid, as well as other real estate projects, including luxury apartments in New York City.
In addition to the hotel industry, Ronaldo also has a large presence in fashion with his brand, CR7 underwear and socks. He’s also collaborated with other fashion brands, including Tag Heuer, and has a lifetime deal with Nike.
Of course, these investments pale in comparison to his current earnings potential as a player and ambassador for the sport.
When will Cristiano Ronaldo retire?
Still, Ronaldo's desire to create a free-standing business empire away from football should stand him in good stead when his playing career comes to an end, and that could be soon.
Ronaldo is 39 years old, which is around the typical age for a football player to retire. We saw legends such as David Beckham hang up his boots at the age of 38, Steven Gerrard retire at 36 and Wayne Rooney stopped playing at 35. Reports are also circulating that Euro 2024 could be Ronaldo’s last major tournament.
Read more on some of the richest people in the world:
Elon Musk's net worth
Bill Gates' net worth
Warren Buffett's net worth
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