Who is Richer, Messi or Ronaldo?

In terms of football greats then Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are two of the biggest names in the sport’s history.

They are not only renowned for their remarkable talent and records on the pitch, but also one of the wealthiest athletes in the world. Many of the fans ask: Who is richer, Messi or Ronaldo? In this post, we will dissect their fortunes up, including their salaries, endorsements, businesses, and overall net worth.

Career Earnings: Messi and Ronaldo

Messi and Ronaldo have both amassed hundreds of millions of dollars from playing football.

1. Lionel Messi began his professional career with FC Barcelona before playing for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and his current club, Inter Miami. Messi was paid a world-record salary during his spell at Barcelona. He was being paid well at PSG, but not quite that much. He also signed a contract with Inter Miami that gives him bonuses and a share of potential ownership, plus a cut of the club’s profits from Apple and Adidas.

2. Cristiano Ronaldo has represented top sides such as Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and now Al-Nassr of Saudi Arabia. His contract with Al-Nassr is among the richest contracts ever, for a sum reportedly over $200 million a year when factoring in commercial agreements.

Endorsements and Sponsorships

The two stars make a lot with endorsements with major global brands.

1. Among others, Messi has long-term contracts with Adidas, Pepsi, Gatorade and Budweiser. In 2022, he appeared in a Louis Vuitton campaign and he’s also done tech-related endorsements.

2. Ronaldo has endorsement deals with Nike (including a lifetime contract), Herbalife, Clear shampoo and his CR7 brand. The influence he has on social media means he can demand top dollar for his promotional posts.

Forbes reports that Ronaldo is regularly the highest-paid competitor in the world thanks to his global Instagram presence and followings on Twitter (X) and Facebook.

Businesses and Investments

Both Messi and Ronaldo are smart investors and businesspeople.

1. Messi has invested in hotels under the "MiM Hotels" chain, real estate, and clothing lines. He also collaborates with Hard Rock Café and other brands to increase his business profile.

2. Ronaldo owns the CR7 brand, which includes underwear, clothing, perfumes, gyms (CR7 Fitness), and hotels (Pestana CR7). He is more hands-on in branding and marketing, making him a business icon outside football.

Net Worth Comparison – Who is Richer, Messi or Ronaldo?

Cristiano Ronaldo is wealthier than Lionel Messi. In 2024, Ronaldo has an estimated wealth of more than $700 million and Messi has an estimated wealth of around $600 million. Ronaldo earns more wealth because of his massive contract with Al-Nassr of Saudi Arabia which reportedly pays him an excess of $200 million per year with contractual deals included in the overall estimate.

Ronaldo also has a lifetime shoe endorsement deal with Nike and is building a strong and lucrative empire under the “CR7” brand, which includes hotels, clothing, and gyms.

Additionally, Ronaldo is the most followed person on Instagram and leverages his social media to earn millions of dollars in sponsored posts and endorsements.

Messi, while wealthier than 99.9 percent

Social Media Influence and Personal Branding

A big part of both players' income comes from social media.

Ronaldo is the most followed person on Instagram, with over 600 million followers. This allows him to earn over $1 million per sponsored post.

Messi also has a huge following, with over 400 million followers, and earns big from Instagram too, but not as much as Ronaldo.

Ronaldo’s stronger online presence boosts his value to brands and increases his earning power beyond football.

Conclusion

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are not just football icons but also two of the richest athletes in the world. While Messi has made a lot from football and endorsements, Cristiano Ronaldo is currently richer, thanks to his massive Saudi contract, stronger personal brand, wider business investments, and social media dominance.

No matter who you support on the field, both players have set new standards for success—both in football and in financial achievement.