Cristiano Ronaldo makes football history becoming first player to hit $1 BILLION net worth

Last Updated on 8 October 2025

Cristiano Ronaldo has never shied away from rewriting history. After leaving Manchester United in 2023 for a blockbuster move to Saudi Arabia, the Portuguese superstar has continued to dominate headlines.

Two years on from that seismic transfer, his latest deal has catapulted him into truly unprecedented territory.

Cristiano Ronaldo put pen to paper on a blockbuster two-year deal with Al Nassr in June 2025. That doubles what he earned in the entirety of his career from 2002 to 2023.

Bloomberg: Cristiano Ronaldo becomes first BILLIONAIRE footballer

Cristiano Ronaldo signed a record-breaking £173 million-per-year contract with Al-Nassr upon his arrival in Saudi Arabia. Now, after agreeing to fresh terms, his earnings are set to soar even higher.

According to the Mirror, the new deal will see him pocket around £492 million over the next two years. A figure that has officially taken him past the £1 billion mark in total net worth.

For context, Ronaldo earned £410m in the first from 2002 to 2023. Add a plethora of endorsements and investments and his net worth goes past the £1 billion mark.

This makes him the first footballer in history to achieve billionaire status.

Saudi Pro League ‘already top five’ Cristiano hits back at critics

Many critics have accused Ronaldo of chasing money rather than sporting glory. However, the forward has repeatedly defended the Saudi Pro League, insisting the league is quickly closing the gap on Europe’s top competitions.

“I believe that in this moment that we (Saudi Pro League) are in top five already,” Ronaldo said after signing his new deal. “Only the people who have never played in Saudi, they don’t understand nothing about football say this league is not top five.”

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has been the league’s biggest global ambassador since his arrival. Ronaldo insists the quality and competitiveness of the Saudi Pro League are rapidly improving.

He’s also dismissed suggestions that his move was purely motivated by money, arguing instead that he’s helping to build something bigger. The legendary footballer has 104 goals for Al Nassr in 117 games, closing in on 1000 career goals.