Some weeks ago, Cristiano Ronaldo was announced as the first footballer to attain the one billion dollar mark. However, in a recent interview, the Al Nassr man said that he had reached the figure for a while.

Cristiano Ronaldo became the first active footballer to reach billionaire status. The 40-year-old accumulated his wealth through several record club contracts, massive sponsorship deals, and commercial ventures.

Ronaldo was the highest-paid player at every club he has been at, including Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus. According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, his net worth now sits at $1.4 billion, a staggering total, boosted by his move to Saudi Arabia and subsequent contracts in the Gulf.

The 40-year-old has a lifetime sponsorship agreement with Nike and owns the successful CR7 brand, which encompasses a diverse portfolio of products and services, including clothing, fragrance, eyewear, gyms, and hotels.

His massive social media presence, with over 600 million followers on Instagram, allows him to command some of the highest rates per sponsored post globally, generating significant advertising and promotional revenue.

Ronaldo reunited with controversial British broadcaster Piers Morgan, whom he regards as his friend, for an interview described as his most personal one yet.

While the full interview has yet to be released, promotional snippets have been published, teasing that Ronaldo spoke about his rivalry with Lionel Messi his engagement to long-term partner Georgina Rodriguez, and the passing of Diogo Jota.

Ronaldo also discussed his wealth. Morgan asked the Al Nassr man to confirm whether the report of his billionaire status was accurate. He confirmed that he was indeed a billionaire but contested the timing, stating that he became one “so many years ago.”

Ronaldo’s claim is not an uncommon one amongst celebrities, as they tend to disagree with the published networths from authorities like Forbes and Bloomberg. One thing is not disputed, however: Ronaldo is a billionaire.