Juventus star, Cristiano Ronaldo is now the first footballer to reach a billionaire status during his career, according to a rating released by Forbes.
The 35-year-old Portuguese made $105 million before tax in 2019, placing his value over the $1 billion mark.
Ronaldo was named as the fourth-biggest earning celebrity in 2020, trailing tennis star, Roger Federer, rapper Kanye West, and Kylie Jenner.
Argentine and Barcelona player, Lionel Messi was rated fifth and earned $104m in the year under review, according to the magazine.
The former Manchester United man, aside from Tiger Woods and ex-boxer, Floyd Mayweather, is the third athlete ever to accumulate such wealth and the first person to do so in a team sport.
Ronaldo is said to have made $650m in wages in his professional career so far with the rest of his money gotten from endorsements.
Also, the footballer has a fashion and lifestyle brand, hotel chain as well as a museum in his Funchal hometown in Madeira.
The attacker’s earnings were hit by the COVID-19 pandemic when Juventus players accepted a 30 percent pay cut to their salaries.
Even though Messi’s salary reduced due to the pandemic, Forbes is expecting the Argentine to join the billionaire’s club in 2021.
By Emmanuel Egobiambu
Source: channelstv.com
