YAHOO POLL: Is Cristiano Ronaldo the GOAT after becoming football's first billionaire?

Cristiano Ronaldo has broken yet another record to add to an increasingly unbelievable career.

The 40-year-old is now the first billionaire footballer, according to latest data from Bloomberg.

Ronaldo, who is still defying his age at Saudi side Al Nassr as well as the Portugal national team, saw his worth estimated at US$1.4 billion by the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. This follows his new two-year deal (reportedly worth more than US$400 million in tax free earnings) signed in June 2025.

Bloomberg's valuation considers Ronaldo's career earnings, investments, and endorsements.

It was revealed that Ronaldo had earned more than US$550m in salary from 2002 to 2023, which covers his start at Portuguese club Sporting CP all the way up to the end of his second stint at Manchester United, before he joined Al Nassr.

Other polls

YAHOO POLL: Do Singaporeans work too hard?

YAHOO POLL: Should companies return to a five-day work-from-office policy?

YAHOO POLL: Will Max Verstappen finally win the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix?

The report also noted Ronaldo's global recognition (665m Instagram followers) which has made him one of the most marketable athletes in history. Ronaldo is said to earn nearly US$18m each year from a decade-long deal with Nike.

Ronaldo is one of only a few athletes to become a billionaire, joining the likes of basketball legends Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and LeBron James as well as golfing great Tiger Woods and tennis icon Roger Federer on an exclusive list.

And Ronaldo's not done yet. Even at the ripe age of 40.

"I still have a passion for this," he said at the Portugal Football Globes gala on Tuesday (7 Oct). "My family says it's time to quit and they ask me why I want to score 1000 goals if I've already scored 900-something. But I don't think that way inside."

He added: "I'm still producing good things, I'm helping my club and the national team. Why not continue? I am sure that when I finish I will leave full because I gave everything of myself."

As for Ronaldo's longtime rival Lionel Messi? Bloomberg claims that the Argentinean has earned more than US$600m in pre-tax salary during his career, but did not value him as a billionaire just yet. However, when he retires he is set to get a stake in MLS team Inter Miami.

So we want to know: Is Cristiano Ronaldo the GOAT as football's first billionaire?

Related:

Bloomberg Billionaires Index

Ronaldo Becomes First Football Billionaire With Big Saudi Contract

Soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo becomes the sport’s first billionaire player, says Bloomberg

Cristiano Ronaldo is football’s first-ever billionaire: he went from begging for burgers outside McDonald’s to landing a $400 million-plus tax-free Saudi contract

Cristiano Ronaldo becomes first billionaire footballer, says report

Click here to read article