How Ronaldo Claimed 'Throne' as Highest Paid Athlete with Impressive Wealth and Sponsorship Bonanza

How Ronaldo Claimed 'Throne' as Highest Paid Athlete with Impressive Wealth and Sponsorship Bonanza

Isaac Darko
updated at February 13, 2024 at 11:54 AM
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C. Ronaldo
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  • Cristiano Ronaldo is hailed as one of the most legendary stars in the annals of football
  • The Portuguese captain inked the priciest contract in the sport's history to join Al-Nassr
  • Sports Brief looks at the incredible earnings and sponsorship deals of the 38-year-old

Cristiano Ronaldo is a football legend, renowned not just for his skills but also for his substantial career earnings, establishing him among the highest-paid athletes.

The Al-Nassr superstar accumulates considerable wealth from both his wages and various sponsorship agreements.

With a celebrated career encompassing Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus, the 38-year-old has garnered an impressive collection of 35 trophies and numerous accolades.

Cristiano Ronaldo applauds the fans after Al-Nassr secured a recent win. The veteran is football's top earner.
Cristiano Ronaldo signed the most expensive contract ever to join Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia in January 2023. Photo by Michael Regan.
Source: Getty Images

Distinguished as one of the most prolific goal-scorers in the annals of football, Ronaldo's impact reverberates far beyond the confines of the pitch.

This influence is unequivocally evident in his standing as the most-followed individual on Instagram, commanding a staggering audience of over 600 million devoted followers.

Renowned as one of the most prolific goal-scorers in football history, Ronaldo's influence extends beyond the pitch, evidenced by his status as the most-followed person on Instagram, boasting over 600 million followers.

As the world eagerly follows his every move, Sportsbrief now embarks on a comprehensive exploration, unravelling the intricate tapestry of Ronaldo's unparalleled financial success.

Cristiano Ronaldo's net worth

Ronaldo's estimated net worth hovers around £500 million, with Forbes reporting an impressive £107mil in earnings at the beginning of 2023. This not only secured his status as the world's current highest-paid athlete but also positioned him ahead of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and basketball icon LeBron James.

Since then, the Portuguese star's financial standing has soared dramatically, particularly after doubling his salary by joining Al-Nassr, a move that catapulted him to the title of the highest-earning player in history.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner's contract, extending until 2025, is estimated at a staggering £177mil per year, per GOAL.

Cristiano Ronaldo's sponsorship deal

Ronaldo's primary sponsorship agreement is with Nike, and he holds an exclusive lifetime contract with the renowned sportswear giants, a distinction shared only with NBA superstar James, Mirror Football reported.

Additionally, he boasts endorsement deals with esteemed brands such as Armani, Tag Heuer, Kickoff, Herbalife, Livescore, Clear, Binance, PokerStars, and Castrol.

In addition to his collaborations, Ronaldo has established his own brand and ventures. CR7, a creation of Ronaldo, specialises in selling underwear, various clothing items, and leisure and home products.

Furthermore, he possesses a collection of hotels in Lisbon, New York, Marrakech, and Madrid, operating under the brand Pestana CR7. Beyond these ventures, Ronaldo has delved into the hair transplant industry with a business venture alongside his partner, Georgina Rodriguez.

Cristiano Ronaldo's cars

Ronaldo takes pride in showcasing his remarkable car collection on social media, featuring a limited edition £8.5 million Bugatti Centodieci - one of just 10 ever produced.

In addition to this exclusive piece, Ronaldo possesses other prestigious vehicles, including a Bugatti Chiron, Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse, as well as several models from Aston Martin, Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Rolls-Royce.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s home

Ronaldo's substantial income allows him to lead a life of luxury, which is evident in his impressive real estate portfolio.

Among his holdings is a £500 million villa in Madrid, complemented by a £15 million apartment in New York.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner, along with Georgina Rodriguez, chose to lease out the Madrid property for £8,800 per month.

In addition to these lavish residences, reports suggest Ronaldo owns private land on Madeira Island in his native Portugal. Initially residing in a hotel suite worth around £250,000 per month in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, upon making the switch, he has since moved into his own house.

How Ronaldo changed Georgina's life

Sports Brief previously reported on Rodriguez explaining how Ronaldo changed her life, as she was living in awful conditions after she first moved to Spain.

The Argentine-born beauty was living in a £250-per-month apartment in Madrid, which was formerly a storehouse and had harsh conditions in summer and winter.

The couple's first apartment in Saudi Arabia, before moving to a luxurious family mansion, was at the Four Seasons, valued at a staggering £250,000 per month.

Authors
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Isaac Darko
Isaac Darko is a La Liga, Ligue 1 and Bundesliga editor at Sports Brief with a Degree in Journalism and Communications from Ghana Institute of Journalism (2010)
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