Messi and Ronaldo: The Battle of Legends Moves from the Fields to Financial Empires

For more than a decade, the competition between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo has not been limited to goals and championships; it has expanded to include financial influence and branding, in one of the fiercest rivalries in modern sports history.

Beyond the Ballon d'Or and the Champions League, the two stars have turned into economic powerhouses competing for sponsorship deals, advertisements, and record salaries, in a race that transcends the boundaries of the pitch.

Ronaldo Joins the Billionaire Club

In 2025, Cristiano Ronaldo achieved a historic milestone off the field, becoming the first football player to enter the billionaire club, thanks to his massive contract with Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia.

According to a comprehensive assessment of his assets and investments, the wealth of “CR7” reached approximately $1.4 billion, marking his name for the first time on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, an unprecedented occurrence in the world of football.

Staggering Contracts in Europe

During the peak years in Europe, the salary race was intense between the two stars. In Barcelona, Messi signed historic contracts, the most notable being his last contract, which exceeded 555 million euros over four years, making it the most lucrative in sports history.
In contrast, Ronaldo broke the financial ceiling with Real Madrid and then Juventus, where his net salary exceeded 30 million euros annually in Serie A, setting a new benchmark for top-tier stars in Europe.

Al Nassr… The Turning Point

Ronaldo's transfer to Al Nassr changed the game completely. Estimates suggest that his annual income, including commercial and marketing privileges, reaches about $200 million, making him the highest-paid athlete in team sports globally.
The deal was not just a football transfer; it was a strategic investment step that reshaped the global football market and opened the door to a new financial era.

Messi and the Model of Smart Partnerships

On the other hand, Lionel Messi chose a different path with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer. His base salary is estimated at around $20–25 million annually, but it is not the main source of income.
Messi relies on an innovative revenue-sharing model with partners like “Apple” and “Adidas,” where his earnings are tied to the growth of television subscriptions and product sales, which could raise his income to $50 or $60 million annually, and possibly more as the market expands.

Direct Income vs. Long-term Investment

The difference between the two stars reflects a clear divergence in philosophy:
Ronaldo depends on direct and substantial income from a pure sports contract, giving him the edge in terms of immediate returns.
Messi bets on a long-term model based on partnerships and mutual growth, linking his success to the success of Major League Soccer itself.
The Billion Dollar Battle Continues
Despite Ronaldo's current superiority in direct income, Messi's project in North America carries broader investment dimensions that may bear fruit in the long run.