Saudi salary lifts Ronaldo to football's first multi‑billionaire

On 22 October 2026, Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo was confirmed by Forbes as football’s first multi‑billionaire after raking in £225 million in total earnings this year, a sum driven by his Saudi Arabian side Al‑Nassr salary of roughly £488 000 per day.

Saudi salary and off‑pitch cash

Forbes calculates that Ronaldo’s daily wage at Al‑Nassr translates to about £225 million for the year, while his off‑pitch activities generated an additional £42 million from endorsements and business ventures. Those off‑field earnings alone would outstrip the total income of all but four of his fellow top earners.

How Ronaldo stacks against the elite

The Portuguese legend also passed the $2 billion mark in career earnings earlier this year, just six years after becoming the first footballer to break the $1 billion barrier. He remains ahead of Lionel Messi, who sits second with £109 million this year and is expected soon to join the $2 billion club.

Messi’s £109 million comprises over £52 million in on‑pitch wages and £56 million from sponsorships, meaning his off‑field income now eclipses his playing earnings. Kylian Mbappé, who briefly topped the list after a 2022 PSG extension, is third with £75 million, followed by Erling Haaland at £64 million.

Vinícius Júnior moved into fifth place with £57 million, a jump from £44 million last season after signing a new six‑year contract in August and becoming the face of Brazil’s national team in place of Neymar. World Cup winner Lamine Yamal ranks sixth with £41 million, while England captain Harry Kane sits in the top ten and could increase his £31 million haul with a new Bayern Munich deal.

Sadio Mané and Jude Bellingham each earned £40 million, placing them alongside the Portuguese star in the upper echelons of the list. Both Mané and Ronaldo share Al‑Nassr contracts that have dramatically boosted their earnings.

Top earners and new deals

Mohamed Salah, despite tearing up the final year of his Liverpool contract, earned £30 million after joining Turkish side Trabzonspor as a free agent. Trabzonspor confirmed his deal guarantees £14.5 million per season, includes performance bonuses and a 20 percent share of revenues from products bearing his name.

Ronaldo’s financial milestone arrives alongside a £215 fine imposed by Portugal for walking out of the national team during a recent international window, underscoring the contrast between his on‑field dominance and occasional off‑field controversy.

The billionaire status highlights the growing financial pull of Saudi clubs and reshapes the global hierarchy of football earnings, with Ronaldo’s record setting a new benchmark for the sport’s elite.