How billionaire football star Cristiano Ronaldo built his massive business empire

Born into a humble family on the small island of Madeira, Portugal, Ronaldo's childhood was far from easy. His father worked as a kit man at a local football club, and his mother was a cook.

Despite these challenges, Ronaldo developed a strong passion for football, which ultimately transformed his life.

The boy who once played barefoot on the streets for hours has evolved into a business icon, amassing a fortune estimated at US$1.4 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaire Index as of Oct. 8.

A significant contributor to his wealth is a monumental contract extension with Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr, worth nearly $700 million, including an annual salary of $245 million.

However, the 40-year-old striker's immense wealth does not solely rely on football contracts.

Cristiano Ronaldo (L) and Al Nassr chairman Abdullah Al-Majed at the contract extension announcement on June 26, 2025. Photo by Reuters

In 2023, he made headlines in Portugal by becoming one of 11 investors to acquire Cofina Media Group, which owns major newspapers such as Correio da Manhã, Record, Jornal de Negócios, and the cmTV channel. Despite having previous conflicts with Cofina, including suing them for invasion of privacy, Ronaldo invested between 20% to 30% of the company's shares. In a gesture of goodwill, he gifted each employee $1,450 for their contributions, Daily Mail reported.

Ronaldo also ventured into media technology with his company 7EGEND, which provides digital solutions for football clubs and federations. This move marked his first steps into the content industry, allowing him to leverage his personal brand and influence.

One of the cornerstones of Ronaldo's business empire is his CR7 hotel chain, developed in collaboration with the Pestana Group. The first hotel opened in his hometown of Funchal in 2016, and the chain has since expanded to Lisbon, Madrid, Marrakech and New York. The CR7 hotels feature a strong sporting theme, with facilities like gyms and training styles reflecting Ronaldo's fitness. A new hotel project in Paris, worth over $70 million, is set to open in 2027.

Cristiano Ronaldo partnered with Pestana in 2015 to launch the CR7 hotel chain. Photo by Pestana CR7

Ronaldo also has an impressive portfolio of real estate, including a $23 million villa in Cascais (Portugal), luxury apartments in Lisbon, villas in Turin, Madrid, Marbella and a seven-story building in Funchal. These properties not only serve as homes for his family but also represent a long-term investment strategy.

As a brand, Ronaldo's name is synonymous with success. His CR7 product line spans clothing, footwear, eyewear, perfumes, underwear and accessories. Though the CR7 store in Madeira closed in 2022, the brand remains strong due to the immense attraction of his name. He also signed a lifetime contract with Nike, a rare honor for only the most exceptional athletes, according to Forbes.

Ronaldo's list of endorsements includes global brands like Armani, Tag Heuer, Herbalife, Castrol and PokerStars, generating income comparable to his football salary.

Cristiano Ronaldo in an advertisement for his underwear brand CR7. Photo by Instagram/@ronaldo

Ronaldo has also invested in the health sector, co-founding the Insparya hair transplant clinic chain with 12 locations across Spain, Portugal and Milan.

With over 665 million followers on Instagram, Ronaldo is the highest-paid influencer on the platform, earning approximately €3.3 million ($3.83 million) per sponsored post, beIN SPORTS reported.

Experts argue that Ronaldo is setting a model for sports entrepreneurs, using his brand to expand his influence into multiple industries. While Lionel Messi, widely considered his top rival, has focused on advertising and shares in Inter Miami, Ronaldo has opted to build a diverse business network spanning different fields.

In the past 12 months, Ronaldo earned a total of $261 million, nearly double what Lionel Messi earned.

From humble beginnings in Madeira, Ronaldo has firmly established himself as a global businessman with a portfolio of investments that will continue to grow even after he hangs up his boots.