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Cristiano Ronaldo
Al-Nassr player Cristiano Ronaldo poses on the field. Bleacher Report Football/Twitter

He stands as the supreme among football players. Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro GOIH ComM, often simply known as Ronaldo, is a proficient Portuguese footballer who serves as a forward for Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League and represents the Portugal national team. Ronaldo has secured an unprecedented five Ballon d'Or accolades, clinched three UEFA Men's Player of the Year Awards, and earned four European Golden Shoes.

The distinguished soccer athlete has also accumulated an impressive 34 trophies throughout his career, encompassing seven league titles, five UEFA Champions League triumphs, the UEFA European Championship, and the UEFA Nations League.

Cristiano Ronaldo net worth: The sources

As per the latest data in Forbes in May 2023, Ronaldo has a net worth of $136M. He is one of those considered as the world's highest-paid athletes -- for this year.

Cristiano Ronaldo's impressive wealth comes from a diverse range of sources, both on and off the pitch. His wealth comes from football salary, brand endorsements, personal ventures, social media, and business partnerships.

He consistently ranks among the highest-paid athletes globally, thanks to lucrative club contracts. His current deal with Al Nassr reportedly offers a staggering salary of around €200 million per year, the value of which contributes greatly to Ronaldo's net worth. His previous stints with Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus also brought in significant earnings.

Ronaldo's global superstar status makes him a highly sought-after brand ambassador. He has lucrative endorsement deals with major companies like Nike, Herbalife, DAZN, and Altice, fetching him millions annually. His lifetime deal with Nike alone is estimated to be worth $1 billion.

Aside from the abovementioned sources, the athlete has built a successful brand around himself, "CR7," encompassing clothing, footwear, accessories, hotels, and gyms. This generates significant revenue through licensing and product sales, continually increasing Cristiano Ronaldo net worth. He has also invested in real estate and other ventures, diversifying his income portfolio.

With over 600 million followers on Instagram alone, Ronaldo commands a premium for sponsored posts and collaborations. He was the highest-earning Instagram personality in 2021.

An athlete's early struggles in life

Cristiano Ronaldo's childhood and personal life are marked by both hardship and resilience, ultimately shaping the global icon he is today. He was born on the Portuguese island of Madeira in 1985, and grew up in modest circumstances. His family, including his parents and three siblings, lived in a small, tin-roofed home overlooking the ocean.

Ronaldo's passion for football manifested early. He played for local clubs, honed his skills on the streets, and dreamt of bigger things. Despite academic struggles, his dedication to the sport was unwavering.

Ronaldo's childhood wasn't always smooth. He was nicknamed "crybaby" due to his sensitivity and faced family struggles, including his father's alcoholism. However, he channeled his emotions into football, finding solace and motivation in the game.

The start of a lucrative soccer career

In 1997, at the age of 12, Ronaldo's life changed dramatically. He impressed scouts during a three-day trial with Sporting CP, one of Portugal's biggest clubs. He was eventually signed for a mere £1,500, marking a defining moment in his career.

At Sporting's academy, Ronaldo's exceptional talent blossomed. He quickly progressed through the various youth teams, showcasing his dribbling skills, pace, and powerful shot. Within a single season, he even played for the club's U-16, U-17, U-18, B team, and first team -- a rare feat.

Ronaldo's professional debut came in 2002, at the age of 17, for Sporting's B team. Shortly after, he made his mark on the main team, impressing fans and coaches with his dazzling displays.

Ronaldo's performance at the 2003 UEFA European Under-17 Championship caught the eye of several big clubs, including Manchester United. His dazzling skills and influential role in Portugal's runner-up finish sparked intense interest.

In 2003, which may be the start of the leap in Cristiano Ronaldo net worth, the 18-year-old Ronaldo signed for Manchester United, marking a significant step in his journey. This transferred him from a promising young player to a global stage, where he would develop into one of the world's best.

Career highlights from 2003 up to present

Ronaldo joined Manchester United in 2003 from Sporting CP. During his stint with Manchester, he won three English Premier League titles with Manchester United (2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09). He also won the UEFA Champions League with Manchester United in the 2007-08 season, and claimed his first Ballon d'Or in 2008.

In 2009, he transferred to Real Madrid, and became its all-time leading scorer. He won four Champions League titles with Real Madrid (2013-14, 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18). There, Ronaldo secured four Ballon d'Or awards during his time (2013, 2014, 2016, 2017). In 2014-15, he became the all-time leading scorer in a single UEFA Champions League campaign with 17 goals. He scored a remarkable 451 goals in 438 appearances during his stint with RM.

In 2018, Ronaldo joined Juventus, where he won two Serie A titles (2018-19, 2019-20). He then continued to be among the top goal-scorers in the league.

When 2021 came, the renowned athlete returned to Manchester United where he once more made significant contributions to the team, showcasing his goal-scoring prowess until he decided to join Al Nassr in January 2023.

Net worth in 2024: Firing up the field In every game

Ronaldo is currently the forward and captain of Al Nassr, a Saudi Pro League (SPL) club based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He joined them in January 2023 after departing Manchester United. Aside from this, he is also the captain and forward of the Portugal national team. He will lead the team at the upcoming Euro 2024, marking his potential final appearance at a major international tournament. With all these games, business ventures, and social media followers in place, Cristiano Ronaldo net worth 2024 is set for even stronger growth.

Starting the year with love

The famous player ushered in the arrival of 2024 with exuberance, celebrating amid a vibrant firework display in Madeira alongside his girlfriend, Georgina Rodriguez. The Al-Nassr forward and his longtime partner adorned themselves in elegant attire, gracing a rooftop party to bask in the panoramic view as the night sky illuminated with dazzling lights. Rodriguez shared snapshots from their celebrations, with smiles adorning their faces against the backdrop of exploding fireworks.

"May the enchantment of the New Year infuse your days with love, joy, health, harmony, and your nights with dreams fulfilled! Happy 2024 to all!" she wrote on Instagram.

The challenges of the sport and being 38

Jose Blesa, Al-Nassr's nutritionist, recently expressed his enthusiasm for being able to work with Ronaldo, and highlighted the football legend's unparalleled dedication.

While speaking to Marca, Blesa reflected on studying Ronaldo as an exceptional case, and said, "While I've collaborated with numerous elite athletes across various sports, many of whom exemplified hard work and perseverance, Cristiano takes the concept of good work to an extraordinary level. He serves as a model for what to do and how to maintain peak performance at an age when most have long retired."

As Cristiano Ronaldo approaches the twilight of his illustrious career, his unwavering commitment to excellence remains evident. The enduring success is attributed to his relentless work ethic and dedication to maintaining optimal physical condition. Blesa underscores the evolving approach required for veteran athletes, noting, "As the years pass, athletes must pay even greater attention to off-field efforts. While one may not possess the same physical abilities as in their youth, the key lies in adopting a superior diet, leveraging available recovery methods, prioritizing rest, and, most importantly, employing intelligent training strategies to defy the natural passage of time."

Always making an impact

Cristiano Ronaldo is a driving force behind the remarkable transformation of the SPL, positioning it to become one of the world's premier football leagues. Since the 38-year-old Portuguese icon arrived in Saudi Arabia, the SPL has undergone an ambitious and noteworthy evolution. While Ronaldo may not be in his twenties anymore, his worth in the field of football never diminishes.