Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo has become the first professional footballer in history whose cumulative gross career earnings have exceeded $2 billion. These calculations include income before taxes and agent commissions. The relevant calculations were conducted by Forbes magazine analysts.

41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo still plays for Saudi club Al-Nassr and the Portugal national team. According to forecasts, in the 2026/2027 season, his income will be around $300 million. Approximately $250 million of this amount comes from his salary at the Riyadh club, with another $50 million from sponsorship contracts, personal business projects, and advertising agreements.
Second in the ranking of highest-paid footballers remains 39-year-old Argentinian Lionel Messi, who plays for American club Inter Miami. According to forecasts, in 2026, his income from football and advertising will be $145 million. It is expected that in the next 12 months, Messi's cumulative career earnings may also exceed $2 billion.
The top ten footballers with the highest annual incomes, according to the provided estimates, also include:
- Frenchman Kylian Mbappé from Real Madrid — $100 million;
- Norwegian Erling Haaland from Manchester City — $85 million;
- Brazilian Vinicius Júnior from Real Madrid — $76 million;
- Spaniard Lamine Yamal from Barcelona — $55 million;
- Senegalese Sadio Mané from Al-Nassr — $54 million;
- Englishman Jude Bellingham from Real Madrid — $45 million;
- Englishman Harry Kane from Bayern Munich — $42 million;
- Egyptian Mohamed Salah — $40 million.
Ronaldo's financial success is also linked to his sporting achievements. During his career, he has won the Champions League five times, become a European champion with the Portugal national team, and played for several leading European clubs, including Sporting Lisbon, Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus Turin.
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