Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo has become football’s first multi-billionaire after the veteran forward earned £225 million this year, according to Forbes.
The Portuguese legend reportedly passed the $2 billion mark in career earnings earlier this year, just six years after becoming the first footballer to surpass $1 billion.
Ronaldo’s status comes as he again topped Forbes’ football rich list, helped by the 41-year-old continuing to earn a lucrative salary at Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr, estimated at £ 488,000 per day.
Forbes calculated that Ronaldo also earned £42 million off the pitch over the year from endorsements and business ventures.
Ronaldo is joined in the top two by his longtime rival Lionel Messi, with the pair occupying the highest two positions for the 12th time in the last 13 years.
Inter Miami star Messi is estimated to have earned £109 million over the past year and is expected to soon join Ronaldo in passing the $2 billion career earnings milestone.
Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe sits third on the list at £ 75 million.
Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr complete the top five with total earnings of £64million and £ 57 million, respectively.
