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The Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo net worth debate is yet another scoreboard to check, after goals, trophies, Ballon d'Ors, Champions League triumphs, World Cup wins and, of course, the never-ending argument over who is the greatest footballer of all time. Well, in the billionaire stakes, Lionel Messi has been beaten by Cristiano Ronaldo. Compared to the Lionel Messi net worth of $1.1 billion, Cristiano Ronaldo has racked up a net worth of $1.2 billion, Forbes says. That gives Ronaldo a $100 million lead, not quite a hat-trick, but another win in a rivalry that has lasted nearly two decades.
Lionel Messi may be quieter off the pitch, but his finances are making plenty of noise. Forbes estimates the Argentine star is worth $1.1 billion, making him one of only a handful of active athletes to reach billionaire status. His wealth comes from years of football contracts, endorsements and business ventures. Forbes estimates Messi has earned around $1.2 billion from playing contracts over his career, while his total career haul rises to about $1.8 billion when endorsements, memorabilia and other business activities are included. His commercial portfolio includes partnerships with brands such as Adidas, Mastercard, Michelob Ultra and Lay’s. Messi also has business interests in hospitality and could have an equity stake in Inter Miami after his playing career. Not bad for a man whose public image is considerably quieter than his goal celebration.
Cristiano Ronaldo is currently one step ahead on the money leaderboard. Forbes puts Ronaldo's real-time net worth at $1.2 billion, making him the richer of football’s two modern superstars. His Al-Nassr contract is doing some serious heavy lifting: Forbes says the Saudi club pays him more than $200 million a year.
But Ronaldo’s fortune is hardly just a football salary. The CR7 name has become a business in its own right, with ventures and endorsements extending far beyond the pitch. He also has an enormous global audience, with Forbes noting that he has nearly 1 billion followers across Instagram, Facebook, and X. Forbes also says Ronaldo became the first active athlete to surpass $2 billion in career earnings before taxes and agents’ fees.
For now, Ronaldo wins this round. Forbes puts him at $1.2 billion against Messi’s $1.1 billion, giving CR7 a $100 million advantage. Forbes’ real-time billionaire rankings can change, so this is a snapshot rather than a permanent scoreline. Messi can point to the 2022 World Cup, eight Ballon d’Ors and one of football’s most decorated careers. Ronaldo has plenty of hardware of his own, and now, at least temporarily, a higher net worth. However, the Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo rivalry has never been one of net worth, it has been about being able to play football in a god-like manner. Perhaps, even at the level of the legendary Diego Maradona and the incomparable Pele.
