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Cristiano Ronaldo Is a Billionaire — How Close Is Lionel Messi?

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Emmanuel Mendez | Last updated Oct 8, 2025 11:29 AM ET

Highlights

Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly the first active footballer billionaire
Ronaldo has become a billionaire due to his move to Al Nassr
How Ronaldo's net worth compares to Lionel Messi's approximate net worth

According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Cristiano Ronaldo has become the first billionaire football player who is active today. The report suggests that his new deal at Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia has increased his net worth to around $1.4 billion.

Ronaldo signed a new contract with Al Nassr in the summer that lasts until June 2027. Ronaldo reportedly makes around $400 million per year in Saudi Arabia with his new contract alone.

Ronaldo has other businesses as well, like his Pestana CR7 lifestyle hotels, the URSUM mineral water brand, and lucrative deals with Nike.

While Ronaldo is regarded as the first and only active football player who is a billionaire, many assume that the second player closest to the Portuguese star is Lionel Messi.

Both Ronaldo and Messi are regarded as the most well-known players in the world, despite both players no longer playing in Europe.

Lionel Messi's Reported Net Worth

According to many economic outlets, Lionel Messi's net worth is set to be between $850 million to nearly reaching the $1 billion mark.

Messi is reportedly near the $1 billion mark due to his long-term deals with major brands such as Adidas and Pepsi. According to Forbes, Messi has earned around $75 million from off-field deals alone.

His reported annual salary is worth around $135 million. Messi signed for Inter Miami in 2023, and his contract salary includes reported perks like a percentage on shirt sales and reportedly earns shares on MLS Apple TV subscriptions.

Messi's contract with Inter Miami expires at the end of the 2025 MLS Season. Many reports suggest that he will sign a new contract with the MLS club, and it could push Messi closer to becoming the second active football player to become a billionaire.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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