Cristiano Ronaldo could be set to add another $100m (£76.5m) to his fortune in the US following a high-profile White House visit. The Portuguese superstar has built an extraordinary reputation through an illustrious football career that spanned Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and most recently Al Nasr. But the 40-year-old’s off-field activities could allow him to develop a stronger brand than either David Beckham or his long-time adversary Lionel Messi, according to Professor Rob Wilson, executive education director at the University of Football Business Campus.
After Ronaldo attended the White House dinner, Wilson told Vegas Insider: “Ronaldo is already operating as a multi-billion dollar global asset, but that moment at the White House will further increase his political relevance and profile in the United States, which is very important and sends a strong signal for the brand.” By making Ronaldo a favorite of his son’s family, Donald Trump will humanize his image and make him even more attractive to sponsors. The media impact of such exposure could be in the mid-eight figures, with only a small increase in the recommended price for a portfolio that is already worth well over $60m (£45.9m) a year.
“CR7 can expect to push towards gaining $100m (£76.5m) in support in the US as a result of his invitation and appearance at the banquet.” Professor Wilson pointed out similarities between Ronaldo’s American persona and Messi’s recent activities, pointing to the Argentine’s association with the US president. He added: “Messi’s shift to high-level business forums, such as attending the American Business Forum alongside Donald Trump, is helping to reframe him from an elite athlete to a national economic ambassador.”
Messi’s brand value is already approaching $1bn (£765m), and his commercial influence is clear, with Inter Miami’s revenue doubling and its valuation exceeding $1bn (£765m). His presence shows credibility with investors and the government. We are positioning Beckham for equity funding, long-term partnerships and sovereign-level business, rather than traditional sponsorship.” But Beckham is still setting the standard for turning fame into a lifestyle empire, backed by a £500m image rights business and a billion-dollar stake in the club.
“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 surpass Beckham’s long-term commercial footprint with carefully selected activations and appearances.”This year, Ronaldo made history by becoming the first active footballer to reach billionaire status. This is in part due to his eye-watering new contract with Al Nasr of the Saudi Professional League, reportedly worth more than $400m (£306m). Ronaldo’s total net worth is currently estimated to be around $1.4 billion (£1 billion). To put this into perspective, Ronaldo’s wealth far exceeds David and Victoria Beckham’s combined net worth of £500m, and Messi’s net worth of $850m (approximately £650m).
