Ronaldo and Messi to Make History as First Billionaire Footballers at 2026 FIFA World Cup

When the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi will carry more than just their nations’ hopes — they will arrive as the first billionaire footballers ever to compete at the tournament. According to wealth valuations published by Forbes, both players have formally crossed the billion-dollar threshold while still active professionals, marking yet another unprecedented chapter in a rivalry that has defined football for nearly two decades.

Ronaldo’s estimated net worth currently stands at $1.2 billion, placing him $100 million ahead of Messi, whose fortune is valued at approximately $1.1 billion. The gap, while relatively narrow given the scale of both figures, reflects two distinctly different approaches to wealth accumulation beyond the pitch.

The foundation of Ronaldo’s financial position is his contract with Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr, which earns him an estimated $235 million per year — one of the most lucrative deals in the history of professional sport. The Portuguese captain has complemented those earnings with a broad commercial portfolio operating under the CR7 brand, encompassing a hotel network spread across multiple countries, a global fitness gym chain, luxury watches, fragrances, and fashion ventures. His social media following, which remains unmatched among athletes worldwide, continues to attract substantial sponsorship and endorsement fees from major global brands. The combined effect has transformed Ronaldo’s personal brand into a commercial operation capable of generating significant revenue well beyond his playing career.

Messi’s path to billionaire status has been structured differently. The Argentine captain declined a reported $400 million-per-year offer from the Saudi Pro League, instead choosing to join Inter Miami in Major League Soccer on a salary believed to be approximately $70 million annually — a considerably lower figure. However, that decision came with structural advantages designed for long-term financial growth. Messi negotiated revenue-sharing agreements tied to league partners Apple and Adidas, positioning him to benefit directly from the commercial expansion his move to the United States generated. His contract also includes an option to acquire a minority ownership stake in Inter Miami after retirement, a model that mirrors the trajectory of club co-owner David Beckham.

Beyond his MLS arrangement, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner continues to generate income through a lifetime partnership with Adidas, investments in technology start-ups, and his luxury hospitality business, the MiM Hotel Group. Where Ronaldo’s model prioritises maximising current earnings, Messi’s is built around equity, ownership stakes, and long-term asset appreciation — a distinction that many financial analysts suggest could see his wealth grow considerably in the years following his retirement.

Ronaldo’s $100 million advantage is largely attributed to his record-breaking Saudi contract and to the fact that he reached the billionaire mark ahead of his rival. Nevertheless, the structure of Messi’s portfolio means the financial gap between the two may narrow or even reverse over time, depending on the performance of his equity holdings and business interests post-retirement.

Both players have already joined a select group of athlete-turned-business-moguls that includes figures such as David Beckham and NBA star LeBron James, each of whom has leveraged elite sporting careers into diversified, billion-dollar enterprises. For Ronaldo and Messi, the 2026 World Cup — hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico — is widely expected to represent their final appearance at the tournament. Messi won the World Cup with Argentina at the 2022 edition in Qatar, while Ronaldo has yet to claim the title with Portugal.

As the tournament approaches, the two men will share the global stage once more — not only as the most decorated players of their generation, but as the first billionaire footballers in the history of the FIFA World Cup.