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Cristiano Ronaldo’s ‘CR7’ brand value has reportedly soared to surpass Lionel Messi’s net worth according to a new study.

Cristiano Ronaldo continues to redefine football’s financial landscape, edging closer to billionaire status while surpassing long-time rival Lionel Messi in net worth. 

A new study by the Portuguese Institute of Administration and Marketing (IPAM) values the CR7 brand at a staggering $883.8 million (€850 million) in 2025, cementing his position as football’s most marketable athlete.

The legendary Portuguese forward, who currently plies his trade with Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, has built an empire that extends far beyond the pitch. 

With multi-million dollar sponsorships, a share in Al Nassr’s ownership, and a social media presence that outshines even Hollywood’s biggest names, Ronaldo is on the verge of a financial milestone few athletes have achieved.

The Successful Business of CR7

Ronaldo’s financial dominance isn’t just about salary and endorsements—it’s the power of his brand. 

According to the IPAM study via Marca, his valuation is based on six key dimensions: income, media influence, social media reach, sporting achievements, social impact, and business ventures.

“Cristiano Ronaldo is the biggest marketing phenomenon in the history of world football. Talent, a lot of training and repetition, exceptional discipline combined with a unique strategic image positioning,” said Fabio Wolff, managing partner of Wolff Sports.

Renê Salviano, CEO of Heatmap and a sports marketing specialist, further emphasised Ronaldo’s commercial appeal:

“Cristiano Ronaldo is a sporting icon, in fact, we can say that he is a reference in world entertainment. His audience figures are huge, this is due to a combination of factors, and one of them is the fact that he is highly professional in everything he does, which obviously translates into record numbers in every sense.”

Ronaldo reportedly earns $208 million ((€207 million) per year at Al Nassr, along with $158 million (€150 million) in sponsorship deals with global brands like Nike, Tag Heuer, and Louis Vuitton.

 On social media, he is the most-followed person on the planet, boasting over one billion followers across various platforms. 

He also earns $1.4 million (€1.45 million) per sponsored post on Instagram, the highest of any athlete.

“Cristiano Ronaldo’s influence, built through impressive records, goes beyond four lines, crosses the business world and reaches different corners of the world,” said Ivan Martinho, a sports marketing professor at ESPM. 

“The value described is a reflection of a global brand that inspires, models behaviours around the world, has reach and frequency.”

How much is Lionel Messi’s Net Worth? 

While Ronaldo leads the race, Lionel Messi is not far behind, with his net worth reportedly at $850 million according to Celebrity Net Worth.

 However, despite surpassing $1.2 billion in career earnings, Messi has not yet officially reached billionaire status—just like Ronaldo.

Messi’s current contract with Inter Miami sees him earn $1.03 million per week—amounting to $54 million per year—for four seasons. 

However, his Miami contract includes a 10% ownership stake in the club, which has been valued as high as $2 billion.

 Additionally, Messi has a revenue-sharing deal with Apple’s MLS Season Pass, potentially adding millions more to his earnings.

Despite common misconceptions, neither Messi nor Ronaldo has officially reached billionaire status—yet. 

Some sources have incorrectly assumed that their career earnings exceeding $1 billion equate to a billionaire net worth.

 However, their true wealth is still growing due to investments, endorsements, and salary structures.

“Cristiano is, off the pitch, what Pele was on it. The one who puts an end to any discussion about comparisons,” said Thiago Freitas, COO of Roc Nation Sports in Brazil.

With both Ronaldo and Messi expected to hit the $1 billion net worth milestone in the next few years, experts predict that this could happen as soon as this year or even next.