Cristiano Ronaldo: football's first active billionaire

 

Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese football icon, has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first active footballer to reach billionaire status, 

according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. This achievement underscores his dominance on and off the pitch and solidifies his position as one of the world's

most successful athletes.

How Ronaldo reached the billion-dollar mark

Ronaldo's journey to becoming the first active football billionaire is attributed to a combination of lucrative contracts, 

substantial endorsement deals, and strategic investments. 

Al-Nassr contract: His contract extension with Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, reportedly worth over $400 million, significantly boosted his earnings.

Endorsement deals: He also earns substantial income through brand deals with companies such as Nike and Armani.

Off-field ventures: Ronaldo's business empire includes his CR7 brand (apparel, fragrances, footwear, eyewear, gyms, hotels), 

real estate investments, and investments in companies such as Chrono24 and Bioniq.

Impact and significance

This achievement is seen as a major milestone in sports economics. Ronaldo joins a select group of athletes to reach billionaire status, 

although his wealth is primarily derived from his playing career, unlike others who have built their fortunes mainly through business ventures. 

Ronaldo has expressed his desire to continue playing and has no intention of retiring soon, despite his family's insistence. 

His long-term goal includes owning a football club. 

Social media presence

Ronaldo's global brand power is also reflected in his massive social media following, which stands at over 600 million across various platforms. 

He is considered one of the highest-paid influencers and leverages his online presence to further expand his brand and endorse products.