The rivalry between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, it would seem, extends beyond the pitch. In terms of the wealth that the two football superstars have amassed in nearly two decades of playing, it is the Portuguese that has the upper hand, for now. Ronaldo's paycheck has breached the one billion mark, in dollar terms.
The striker has been in the game professionally for 17 years and counting, and for his efforts, he has become an official billionaire. The distinction allows Ronaldo to join an elite club with only two other members, namely Tiger Woods and Floyd Mayweather Jr, who picked up huge paychecks playing golf and boxing, respectively.
Ronaldo's case is noteworthy as he is the first athlete that made the billionaire mark engaged in a team sport. However, Bleacher Report said the Juventus forward will not be lonely at the top, as far as football is concerned, for too long.
By next year, Messi will reach the same status, and from the estimates furnished by Forbes, the Argentine will be a billionaire himself even before the end of his existing contract with Barcelona.
It is noteworthy that Ronaldo earned his first billion while football is in a pause due to the coronavirus pandemic. The 35-year-old took a 30% pay cut from his Juventus salary, but he is still projected to make $650 million by the conclusion of the season. In 2022, his earnings will jump to $765 million, so there is no looking back for Ronaldo until the day he hangs his boots.
Messi agreed to a 70% salary reduction requested by Barcelona so the Spanish giants could ride through the financial crisis caused by the COVID-19 spread, but the team captain is still poised to collect $104 million from the Catalans.
The Barca forward will make even more next season and if the projections prove accurate, Messi will be joining Ronaldo in the billionaires' club.
While the earnings gap between the two football rivals is not too wide, Ronaldo's slight advantage could be credited to his endorsement deal with Nike. It is a lifetime deal that allows the prolific goalscorer to cash in $20 million annually from the company.
And the commercial agreements did not end with Nike for Ronaldo as the Portuguese is ramping up on taking advantage of his huge popularity. Yahoo Sports said the football star has existing deals with Herbalife, Clear shampoo, and pharmaceutical company Abbott that ensure that big money will not stop flowing for some time.
Because of their record football earnings, both Messi and Ronaldo are now on the Top 5 of celebrity and athlete high-earners, the two counting the likes of Kanye West, Kylie Jenner, and Roger Federer as near co-equals.
