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Fortune
Fortune
Preston Fore

Cristiano Ronaldo is football’s first-ever billionaire: he went from begging for burgers outside McDonald's to landing a $400 million-plus tax-free Saudi contract

Cristiano Ronaldo (Credit: Stefan Matzke - sampics/Getty Images)

Cristiano Ronaldo has long been one of football’s (or soccer’s) greatest goal-scorers, dazzling millions of fans at top European clubs including Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus. Now, he’s reached another milestone—becoming the sport’s first-ever billionaire.

Fueled by lucrative endorsements, savvy investments, and a record-breaking salary, Ronaldo’s net worth has topped $1.4 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. His latest contract renewal with Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr is reportedly worth more than $400 million alone—all tax-free.

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