Is Cristiano Ronaldo Still the King of Football Wealth?

The reign of Cristiano Ronaldo in the field has taken over to the bank. The most recent Forbes list has placed the Portuguese superstar on the list of highest incomes in the world with an unbelievable 280 million per year, which is twice more than Lionel Messi. What appeared as a final career step to Saudi Arabia has become a milestone financial success.

Once Ronaldo became part of Al-Nassr, it was branded a retirement tour by many critics. But he has not been restricted to the field where he has brought a football revolution in Saudi Arabia. He was the driving force of the stream of global talents and record-breaking sponsorship agreements, making the Saudi Pro League a multi-billion project. The brand power that Ronaldo has built is now driving his own empire as well as the needs of a nation that is willing to transform the dynamics of football in the world.

His appetite is not diminished on the sporting side. At the age of 40, he continues to shatter records – becoming the highest scorer in the history of World Cup Qualifying with 41 goals. His professionalism and discipline has reconstituted the longevity of athletics.

In the meantime, Lionel Messi keeps reinventing football in America with Inter Miami. His impact has brought MLS to the limelight, profitability and competitiveness. However, the statistics of Ronaldo helps us to remember that, despite being not in the global arena, his aura and business magnetism are unparalleled.

After all, the competition is no longer about objectives but global accessibility, power and financial supremacy. The move of Ronaldo to the East remade the sporting business showing that the future of football can be found just as much in a market such as Riyadh as in Madrid or Miami.