Cristiano Ronaldo has recently been spotted making an appearance at the White House, and one economic enthusiast believes the move will help boost his already impressive bank balance.
Cristiano Ronaldo could be set to add another $100m (£76.5m) to his bank balance in the US after attending the White House. The Portuguese sensation has made quite a name for himself thanks to his incredible footballing career with Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and most recently Al Nasr.
But the 40-year-old’s off-the-pitch antics could create a bigger brand than David Beckham or long-time rival Lionel Messi, according to Professor Rob Wilson, executive education director at the University of Football Business Campus. “Ronaldo is already operating as a multi-billion dollar global asset,” an expert told Vegas Insider after he was spotted at a White House state dinner.
“But that moment in the White House will increase political relevance and visibility in the all-important US, a strong brand signal. Donald Trump making Ronaldo a favorite of his son’s family will humanize his image and broaden his sponsorship appeal.”
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“The earned media impact of such exposure is likely to remain in the mid-eight figures, with a slight increase in support prices for a portfolio that already generates annual revenues of over $60m (£45.9m). CR7 can be expected to push towards a $100m (£76.5m) endorsement in the US as a result of his invitation and appearance at the banquet.”
Professor Wilson also compared Ronaldo’s appearance in the US to Messi, who recently took similar steps and appeared alongside the US president.
It added: “Messi’s shift to high-level business forums, such as attending the American Business Forum with Donald Trump, is helping to reframe him from an elite athlete to a national economic ambassador.”
“Messi’s brand value is already approaching $1 billion (£765 million), and his commercial influence is clear, as Inter Miami’s revenues have doubled and the valuation itself has exceeded $1 billion (£765 million).
“His presence signals credibility to investors and governments. It positions him for equity funding, long-term partnerships and sovereign-level business rather than traditional sponsorship. Beckham remains set the standard for turning fame into a lifestyle empire, backed by a £500m image rights business and $1bn club stake.”
“However, Messi and Ronaldo now ride on a larger global platform with a larger fan ecosystem and deeper earning power. Each has the scale to become a long-term institutional brand, with Ronaldo as a Gulf-backed platform for luxury fitness and Messi acting as a bridge of soft power across the Americas and global soccer economies.”
“Both have the potential to exceed Beckham’s long-term commercial footprint with carefully selected activations and appearances.”
It comes as Ronaldo was named the first active footballer to become a billionaire this year, thanks in part to a stunning new contract with Saudi Professional League side Al Nasr said to be worth more than $400m (£306m). Ronaldo’s net worth is currently estimated to total around $1.4 billion (£1 billion).
Incidentally, this is already several leagues higher than David and Victoria Beckham’s net worth of £500m, or Messi’s net worth of $850m (approximately £650m).
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