Cristiano Ronaldo’s net worth is a topic of fascination for many as he’s a legendary football player admired by fans the world over.
While he might not have the wealth of some of the richest people in the world such as Warren Buffett, Elon Musk and Bill Gates, his fortune puts him among the sporting greats like David Beckham and Michael Jordan.
Forbes estimates Ronaldo’s net worth to be a whopping $260 million, making him the world’s highest-paid athlete, taking the top spot for the fourth time. He’s also the first football player to earn over $1 billion.
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Because of Ronaldo’s age (he’ll be 40 next year), talks of him finally hanging up his boots have begun. He played for Portugal in Euro 2024, but they lost to France in penalties during the quarter-finals, and that was Ronaldo’s last match in the tournament, according to RTP.
But regardless of what happens next, Ronaldo is far from being forgotten, thanks to his lucrative brand endorsements and business ventures. Here, we look at how Cristiano Ronaldo built his fortune and the factors contributing to his net worth today.
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 scouts from some of Europe's top football 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. During that time, Manchester United won numerous league titles and Champions League trophies, and Ronaldo was also recognised for his 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 £80 million (approximately $131 million 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 on 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. He returned to Manchester United in August 2021 but, just a year later, he made his most lucrative switch. After a career playing in Europe in 2022, Ronaldo signed with the 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.
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.
Of course, these investments pale in comparison to his current earnings potential as a footballer and ambassador for the sport.
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.
At 39, Ronaldo is older than 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 stop playing at 35.
Whenever he decides to retire, Ronaldo's sizeable business interests off the pitch should stand him in good stead to remain as one of the richest sports stars in the world.
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