How Cristiano Ronaldo could buy the whole of Liga MX and keep the change

Cristiano Ronaldo is now officially the richest soccer player in the world. Following a contract extension with Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr signed last June, which keeps him with the team through 2027, his net worth has soared to $1.4 billion, according to Bloomberg’s Billionaires Index. That figure is enough to buy every team in Mexico’s top professional league, Liga MX, with cash to spare.

Cristiano could buy all 18 Liga MX teams

Market analysis site Transfermarkt, which tracks the estimated value of clubs and players, puts the combined worth of all 18 Mexican league teams at around $1 billion. Club América tops the list at $115 million, followed by Cruz Azul at $88 million and Toluca at $81 million.

A career move that paid off

Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr in the winter of 2022, leaving behind a decorated European career that included spells with Sporting Lisbon, Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus. The move to Saudi Arabia marked a dramatic shift, but it also brought one of the most lucrative contracts in soccer history, including the highest average annual salary ever for an athlete.

Tax-free earnings and more perks

In Saudi Arabia, earnings are tax-free, significantly boosting Ronaldo’s wealth. Reports also indicate his deal includes equity in the club and access to a private jet. Bloomberg’s valuation accounts not only for his career earnings but also his business ventures and lucrative sponsorship deals.