By Oyinlola Awonuga (The New Diplomat’s Entertainment Fashion and Sports Desk)
Juventus and Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo has become football’s first billionaire with his Barcelona’s Lionel Messi to follow suit next year.
According to Forbes, Ronaldo, 35, is now only the third sports star to reach the milestone, joining Tiger Woods and Floyd Mayweather.
Ronaldo raked in £85million in the last year from his wages and endorsement deals, pushing him into the billions for career earnings.
His annual earnings were actually down nine per cent, after he took a £3.5m cut on his wages due to coronavirus pandemic.
But it was still enough for Ronaldo to reach the $1billion mark before friendly rival Messi.
Former Manchester United and Real Madrid star Ronaldo has pocketed over £500m during his career from wages alone.
That figure is set to exceed £600m by the time his current contract at Juventus is up at the end of the 2021-22 season.
Ronaldo has also raked in around £36m-a-year in endorsements during his career, including partnerships with Nike, with whom he has a lifetime contract.
The forward also has his own company, CR7, as well as being the most-followed sports star in the world on Facebook and Instagram.
Ronaldo rakes in roughly £1million per post on Instagram – more than any other person on the planet.
He makes £14m more per year from social media than he does from his Juventus pay-packet.
Amazingly, Messi – three years Ronaldo’s junior – is expected to reach the $1bn mark next year.
Messi pocketed £84m in the past year from his own wages and endorsement deals – which include Pepsi and adidas.
But neither Messi nor Ronaldo were Forbes’ top-earning sports star this year – with that honour going to tennis ace Roger Federer.
The Swiss legend, 38, banked £86m to edge out the footballing duo.
