CR7 became football's first billionaire, matching the achievements of legendary figures such as Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, LeBron James and Tiger Woods. The timeless Al-Nassr striker doesn't seem to want to slow down.
Records broken: Ronaldo still looking for targets
Ronaldo's earning potential has skyrocketed since he made his name as a fearsome winger at Manchester United. He became a formidable striker during his time at Old Trafford, winning his first Champions League and the Ballon d'Or in the process. He now has five European crowns to his name and a handful of Ballons d'Or.
Records exploded around him, and the history books are regularly rewritten. It seems like he still has a lot left to accomplish at 40 years old. A new two-year contract has been signed in the Saudi Pro League, with Ronaldo aiming for the 2026 World Cup and 1,000 career goals.
The Billionaires Club: How Ronaldo Joined Other Sports Immortals
He could have retired a long time ago, with enough money in the bank to live several lifetimes. Ronaldo enjoys the most lucrative contract in his chosen sport, while collaborating with top brands like Nike, Armani and Castrol. An empire has been built off the field thanks to the CR7 brand, real estate investments and lucrative businesses.
The Bloomberg Billionaires Index claims Ronaldo's fortune has reached $1.4bn (ÂŁ1bn), making him the first footballer to join an exclusive club. NBA legends Jordan and James rub shoulders with him among wealthy sports stars, as do golf icon Woods and tennis great Roger Federer.
Ronaldo, who rakes in millions of dollars from his social media accounts, which have branched out into the world of YouTube video production, continues to attract business partners from around the world. It remains to be seen how long his remarkable playing career will last.
However, he has joined the ranks of the immortals and can hope to continue generating exceptional income long after he hangs up his boots for the last time. Sporting vice-president André Bernardo expects this to be the case.
He said during the panel “ Growing with soul: How clubs grow without losing their heritage » from the Portuguese Football Summit: “Our core business is sport, and players are a fundamental part of it. Players are heroes, but they are also people, and some people sometimes neglect this aspect and try to copy them. In the digital age, these players are much more powerful than certain brands. Cristiano Ronaldo is the biggest brand in the world and a unique person. Sure, he has a team supporting him, but he's a one-man show. »
He added, Sporting having contributed to the success of several big names: “ Cristiano is a good example, but others come from modest and difficult backgrounds. Everyone knows Cristiano's story: his mother, a big Sporting supporter, brought him to the training center when he was a child. »
