Cristiano Ronaldo joins Billionaires’ Club, but family urges retirement as he keeps defying age
Cristiano Ronaldo has officially entered the elite billionaire ranks, becoming the first active footballer to reach a net worth of $1.4 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. This milestone reflects not only his incredible career earnings but also lucrative endorsement deals and smart investments. Key to his financial ascent is his tax-free contract with Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, reportedly worth over $400 million for a two-year extension signed earlier this year, as well as partnerships with global brands like Nike and Armani.
At 40, Ronaldo’s remarkable wealth cements his status as one of football’s greatest and most successful business figures. Yet, despite the enormous success, the Portuguese forward remains fiercely focused on the pitch, dismissing calls from his family to retire.
Speaking at the Portugal Football Globes gala in Lisbon, where he received the Prestígio Award honoring his outstanding national team career, Ronaldo opened up about the ongoing pressure from loved ones to step away from the game.
“My family tells me it’s time to stop, that I don’t need to score 1,000 goals since I’ve already scored over 900,” Ronaldo said. But he remains undeterred. “I still have the passion for this. I’m still producing good things, helping my club and my country. Why stop now? When I finish, I’ll walk away fulfilled because I gave everything.”
Ronaldo’s long and decorated international career spans 22 years, making him Portugal’s all-time leading scorer with 141 goals in 223 appearances. He admitted he’d happily play only for his country if he could, calling it “the pinnacle of what a footballer can achieve.”
He also revealed a shift in mindset: no longer obsessed with chasing records, Ronaldo is embracing the present, living day by day amid the unpredictability of football and life. “Age teaches us to think another way,” he said.
Looking ahead, Ronaldo is fully committed to leading Portugal’s campaign for the 2026 World Cup qualification. “Our goal is to win the next two matches and secure our place at the World Cup,” he declared ahead of crucial fixtures against Ireland and Hungary.
In a sport often obsessed with youth, Ronaldo’s ongoing hunger and incredible financial success make him a unique figure, a global icon defying the odds both on and off the field.
