Cristiano Ronaldo has reached another milestone, this time off the pitch. The Portuguese superstar, 40, is now football’s first billionaire player, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

Ronaldo’s net worth has climbed to $1.4 billion following his latest Al-Nassr contract, reportedly worth more than $400 million, including bonuses and tax-free earnings in Saudi Arabia.

His two-decade career across Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus already made him one of sport’s wealthiest icons, with endorsement deals from Nike, Armani, and others adding hundreds of millions more.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s journey from humble beginnings in Madeira to global superstardom has been marked by relentless ambition and savvy branding under his famous CR7 label.

Ronaldo now joins the ultra-elite group of billionaire athletes such as Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, LeBron James, and Roger Federer though his fortune is driven mainly by salary, not investments.

Bloomberg estimates Ronaldo has earned over $550 million in wages since 2002, plus another $175 million through sponsorships. His new Al-Nassr deal dwarfs even Lionel Messi’s MLS earnings at Inter Miami.

While some critics saw his move to Saudi Arabia as a footballing step down, it’s clear the decision reshaped the economics of modern sport, blending global fame with state-backed spending.

Off the field, Ronaldo has expanded into hotels, gyms, and media projects, while building luxury homes in Lisbon and Madeira symbols of a boy who once shared a single room with siblings.

As he nears retirement, Ronaldo says he hopes to own football clubs of his own. For now, he stands alone football’s first billionaire, and perhaps its most enduring brand.