What is Cristiano Ronaldo's net worth?

Cristiano Ronaldo’s net worth has become a hot topic, as many fans and investors wonder how the Portuguese superstar turned his talent on the pitch into immense wealth. Regarded as one of the greatest footballers to have ever graced the sport, Ronaldo’s skills have cemented his status as a global icon, far beyond the world of football.

While he isn’t the richest person in the world, Ronaldo joins the ranks of sporting greats like David Beckham, Lewis Hamilton and Michael Jordan in being extremely wealthy. Forbes estimates Ronaldo’s net worth to be an astonishing $285 million, making him the top-earning football player, and the first to surpass $1 billion in career earnings.

Because of his age (Ronaldo will turn 40 years old next year), fans have been speculating when he will hang up his boots. Away from the pitch, Ronaldo’s social media channels exceed 900 million followers across Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter), making him the world’s most-followed athlete.

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Ronaldo’s reach has only expanded since launching his own YouTube channel, UR Cristiano. Off the field, Ronaldo’s brand partnerships, including his CR7 enterprise, only add to his wealth.

Here, we look at how Cristiano Ronaldo built his fortune, and when he’s set to retire.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s net worth as a footballer

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 top scouts from some of Europe's elite football clubs.

Ronaldo didn’t waste any time rising to the top of the game, signing up with Manchester United in 2003. Over the next few years, he helped the Red Devils win numerous league titles and Champions League trophies. Ronaldo’s performance didn’t go unnoticed – in 2008, he claimed his first Ballon d'Or award.

In 2009, Ronaldo achieved the first of what would become a string of world-record transfer fees. Real Madrid paid £80 million for the player – a move that led the football club to numerous victories, including multiple league titles and four Champions League trophies. Along the way, Ronaldo added three more Ballon d'Or awards to his name, solidifying his status as one of the sport’s all-time greats.

Even as he entered his 30s, Ronaldo continued to dominate the field. In 2018, he transferred to Juventus, where he led the team to two Serie A titles.

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. He returned to Manchester United in August 2021 but, just a year later, he made his most lucrative switch, signing with Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr. According to reports, the player received a pay offer of around $213 million a year to jump ship, with the bulk of this relating to image rights and commercial deals. That's nearly $18 million a month.

Cristiano Ronaldo's business career 

Ronaldo is not just a talented football player, he’s also a savvy businessman. One of his most notable business ventures is his partnership with the 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 and suites, and a rooftop pool and bar. It has been a popular destination for tourists and football fans alike. Ronaldo has since opened hotels in Lisbon and Madrid, as well as other real estate projects, including luxury apartments in New York City and a $602 million villa in Madrid.

In addition to the hotel industry, Ronaldo also has a large presence in the fashion sector, with his underwear brand, CR7. He’s also collaborated with other fashion brands, including Tag Heuer, KFC and Armani, and has a lifetime deal with Nike. Meanwhile, Ronaldo has invested in a football app zujuGP and crypto platform Binance.

There’s also his impressive car collection that is worth $21 million, including a rare $10.5 million Bugatti Centodieci, Porsche 911 and Lamborghini Aventador, according to the duPont Registry.

When will Cristiano Ronaldo retire? 

Ronaldo confirmed to Portutal’s RTP that Euro 2024 was, “without a doubt”, his last, after marking his record-breaking sixth European Championship appearance. He made his debut with Portugal in 2003 and is now the all-time leading scorer in men’s international football with 130 goals to his name.

Ronaldo discussed his potential retirement after Portugal’s 5-1 victory against Poland, sealing their quarterfinal spot in the UEFA Nations League. According to ESPN, he told reporters, “I just want to enjoy. If it [retirement] has to happen, in one or two years… I don’t know. I’m turning 40 soon,” adding that he has no intention of becoming a coach after hanging up his boots.

At 39, Ronaldo is older than the typical age for a football player to retire. David Beckham hung up his boots at the age of 38, Steven Gerrard retired at 36 and Wayne Rooney stopped playing at 35. Luis Nani, another famed Portuguese footballer who was teammates with Ronaldo at Manchester United, recently announced his retirement at 38.

Whenever he decides to retire, Ronaldo's sizeable business interests off the pitch should stand him in good stead to remain one of the richest sports stars in the world.