Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese football superstar, once again stunned the world when he was officially confirmed as the first billionaire in football history, with an estimated total fortune of £1.04 billion (equivalent to more than $1.3 billion). However, what made fans admire not only his huge fortune, but also the way he spent it — very different, very “Ronaldo”.
According to Forbes magazine, most of Ronaldo’s assets come from playing contracts, advertising, business investments and personal brand CR7. The contract with Al Nassr Club in Saudi Arabia alone brought him more than £173 million a year, not to mention a series of advertising deals with luxury brands such as Nike, TAG Heuer, Louis Vuitton and Herbalife. But instead of spending lavishly, Ronaldo has a spending style that is considered “both lavish and strangely disciplined”.
The first thing that surprises many people is that Ronaldo rarely spends money on parties or luxury goods – something that is familiar to many other sports stars. Instead, he invests heavily in his health and body. The 39-year-old superstar is known for spending hundreds of thousands of pounds a month on nutrition, physiotherapy, a personal gym and muscle recovery equipment. His villa in Madeira has a cryotherapy room worth more than 50,000 pounds, helping him recover quickly after each match.
Second, Ronaldo spends a lot of money on real estate and long-term investments. He owns a series of luxury villas and apartments from Portugal, Spain to Dubai and New York. One of the most prominent properties is an 18 million pound villa in Lisbon, designed in a minimalist but extremely luxurious style, with an infinity pool, a helipad and a private gym. In addition, Ronaldo also invested in the Pestana CR7 branded hotel chain, which currently has branches in Madrid, Marrakech and New York.
However, what makes many people feel the “strange” most is Ronaldo’s generosity. Despite being famous for his wealth, he rarely shows off his wealth and often quietly donates to charity funds. Over the years, CR7 has sponsored millions of pounds for organizations that care for children, hospitals and victims of natural disasters. He once refused to participate in alcohol and tobacco advertising campaigns because he “did not want to negatively affect young people”. A close friend revealed: “Ronaldo can spend hundreds of thousands of pounds on sports and family, but he is always cautious when spending money on meaningless things.”
Besides, Ronaldo is also famous for being an exemplary father. He invests a lot in the education and life of his children. His eldest son, Cristiano Jr. are being trained in a professional football environment, and the three twins and the little girl are studying at top international schools. Family is where Ronaldo is willing to spend unlimited money — but not to show off, but to create a solid foundation for the future of his children.
When asked about becoming a billionaire, Ronaldo just smiled and said: “I never work for money. Money comes because I always work hard.” That sentence reflects his special philosophy of life – wealth is not only in assets, but also in will, discipline and kindness.
At 39, Cristiano Ronaldo is not only a legend of the football field but also a living proof that: true success is not only measured by how much money you have, but by how you use it.
