Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are the highest-earning athletes of all time. Their net worth has also increased dramatically over the years. Here is a rough sketch of how it has evolved through the years.
The Early Years
Since their debut in European club football in the early 2000s Messi's net worth started at $150 at La Masia while Ronaldo's career did not start yet. As Messi had established himself as one of FC Barcelona's key players, his net worth increased to $125M at the end of the decade considerably from his salary and sponsorships. The remarkable rise of Ronaldo at Manchester United earned him more popularity and endorsements than Messi. At the end of the decade just before joining Madrid his net worth boomed to $154M.
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2010 To 2019
Messi and Ronaldo entered their prime at the start of the decade. Messi with his performances shocked the world football while Ronaldo's arrival in Madrid boosted his earnings. Both peaked at football, Messi-Ronaldo rivalry was and still is a long-lasting debate. At the end of the decade, Messi touched a staggering figure of $780M while Ronaldo's net worth was $720 M.
2020 To 2023
Messi's move to Paris Saint Germain comes with a lucrative salary package that kept him in the tally of highest-paid athletes in the world. Ronaldo's transfer to Juventus and later to Al-Nassr also kept him among the highest earners. Messi being a sponsored athlete by Adidas and Ronaldo being the face of Nike always kept them in the limelight. By the year 2023, Messi and Ronaldo's net worth became $1.1B and 1.4B respectively.
Future Beyond 2024
Both Messi and Ronaldo are expected to grow their earnings even more in the coming years followed by their retirement. Through their sponsorships, endorsements, investments and business ventures.