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Jul 1 2024
On June 15, 2025, Cristiano Ronaldo, the 40‑year‑old Portuguese forward, officially crossed the $1 billion threshold, becoming football’s first billionaire, after sealing a record‑shattering extension with Al Nassr FC in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The two‑year deal, valued at roughly $620 million, bundles a $90 million base salary, a $120 million commercial‑rights fee and $100 million in performance bonuses each season. Bloomberg confirmed the deal on October 8, 2025, noting that it catapults Ronaldo into a tiny club of athletes whose annual earnings eclipse $300 million.
How the Saudi Deal Turned Ronaldo Into a Billionaire
The contract’s headline number—$620 million over two years—doesn’t tell the whole story. According to Gestifute SA, the Lisbon‑based agency led by Jorge Mendes, the agreement splits into three streams: a $90 million guaranteed salary, a $120 million commercial‑rights payment from the club’s parent, Saudi Sports Company, and a $100 million bonus package tied to goals, assists and league performance. "This contract reflects CR7’s unparalleled global value and our commitment to making Al Nassr the world’s most commercially successful football club," said Musaed Al‑Jarallah, Al Nassr’s CEO, in a press briefing on June 16.
When you add in his existing endorsement empire—most notably a lifetime $1 billion Nike deal sealed in 2016—the numbers line up neatly. Celebrity Net Worth’s October 2025 assessment placed Ronaldo’s net worth at exactly $1 billion, marking him as the first male footballer to hit that landmark.
Ronaldo’s Career and Past Earnings
Ronaldo’s climb to the top of the earnings chart mirrors his trophy cabinet. After breaking onto the scene with Sporting CP in 2002, he collected five Ballon d’Or awards, four UEFA Champions League titles and seven league crowns across England, Spain and Italy. By the time he left Juventus in August 2021, his career earnings were estimated at $550 million, according to Forbes. The move to Al Nassr in January 2023 added a $200 million “first‑contract” that already set a new benchmark for the Saudi Pro League.
What’s striking is the acceleration: from $500 million in early 2022 to $1 billion by mid‑2025—a 100 percent jump in just three and a half years, driven almost exclusively by Saudi commercial opportunities.
The Business Empire Behind CR7
Off the pitch, Ronaldo runs CR7 Holdings Ltd., a private firm registered in Lisbon. Its portfolio includes a lifetime Nike endorsement, a $50 million annual partnership with Herbalife, and a $30 million yearly deal with Procter & Gamble’s Clear brand. Forbes estimated in July 2025 that CR7’s businesses generate about $120 million in revenue each year, accounting for roughly 45 percent of Ronaldo’s total net worth.
The brand’s extensions are everywhere—from underwear lines made by PVH Corp. to fragrance deals with Puig Beauty, three CR7 hotels in Lisbon, Funchal and Madrid, and seven fitness centres across Europe. The latest venture, a $50 million hotel slated to open in Dubai by December 31, 2025, is being co‑developed with Emaar Properties PJSC.
Impact on the Saudi Pro League and Global Football
The ripple effect of Ronaldo’s contract is already reshaping the Saudi sports market. Deloitte’s Sports Business Group reported that the total valuation of Saudi Pro League clubs rose from $1.2 billion in 2022 to $4.7 billion in 2025—an almost four‑fold increase. The league’s TV rights, sponsorships and merchandise sales have all surged, partly because brands see Ronaldo as a gateway to the 1.4 billion‑strong Middle‑Eastern consumer base.
European clubs are taking note. Lionel Messi’s 2023 earnings at Paris Saint‑Germain topped $350 million annually, but even that now looks modest next to Ronaldo’s $310 million annual package. Analysts at Vanguard News Network suggest that the market could see another wave of marquee signings—especially as Saudi Arabia prepares to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
What Comes Next for Ronaldo and Al Nassr
Ronaldo’s contract runs until June 2027, with an automatic performance review at the end of 2025. If he meets the goal‑related bonus thresholds—estimated at 30 goals and 10 assists for the season—Al Nassr will have paid the full $100 million bonus clause.
The club also plans to leverage the star power for a series of commercial ventures: a co‑branded line of sports drinks with a local Saudi bottler, a global NFT collection, and a stadium naming rights deal projected to bring in an additional $80 million over the next five years. For Ronaldo, the next milestone is less about money and more about legacy; the Dubai hotel opening will mark his first major real‑estate project outside of Europe.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Ronaldo’s billionaire status affect other footballers?
Ronaldo’s deal sets a new financial ceiling, prompting top players to negotiate higher salaries and seek moves to leagues willing to pay premium commercial fees. It also pressures European clubs to rethink wage structures to retain talent.
What portion of the $620 million contract is guaranteed?
The guaranteed base salary totals $90 million per year, or $180 million over the two‑year span. The remaining $440 million comes from commercial rights fees and performance bonuses.
Why is Saudi Arabia investing heavily in football?
The kingdom aims to diversify its economy under Vision 2030, using high‑profile sports contracts to boost tourism, attract foreign investment and raise the global profile of its domestic league.
Will Ronaldo continue playing after his Al Nassr contract ends?
Ronaldo has hinted at a possible transition into club ownership or a full‑time ambassador role. However, no official retirement timeline has been announced, and his performance‑related bonuses suggest he intends to stay on the pitch at least through 2027.
How does the CR7 brand contribute to Ronaldo’s net worth?
CR7’s diversified portfolio—spanning apparel, fragrance, hotels and fitness centres—generates roughly $120 million annually, representing about 45 percent of Ronaldo’s overall wealth, according to Forbes’s July 2025 estimate.
Comments
Henry Cohen
Ronaldo hitting a billion is just another marketing stunt.
The numbers are inflated by Saudi cash pumping.
Everybody pretends it’s about football but it’s really about geopolitics.
The league’s TV deals are a front for money laundering.
Fans think this is progress but it’s a consumer trap.
Even the stats are cherry‑picked to hide the real profit margins.
His brand value is overrated because it rides on nostalgia.
Young players will be lured into shallow contracts.
Clubs will prioritize cash over competitive integrity.
The whole ecosystem is becoming a glorified advertisement platform.
If you look at the wage inflation you see a bubble.
Soon we’ll see a crash when the sponsors disappear.
The Saudi Vision 2030 is a political agenda disguised as sport.
People should ask why a European player is chasing desert money.
No amount of bonuses can fix the underlying structural issues.
Mark Langdon
I hear your concerns, but the reality is that the money is actually helping grow the sport in the region. The investment brings better facilities and youth programs. It's not just about cash.
Ciara Russell-Baker
Honestly the whole billionaire hype is overblown. Ronaldo's age makes it more of a vanity project. Fans deserve better.
Aaron Samarita
The article overstates the impact. While the contract is impressive, it does not guarantee on‑field success.