Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo Reach Billionaire Status
The world of soccer is already known to have some of the biggest and most successful players, but with two of its stars reaching billionaire status, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have broken boundaries in their sport. While both are remarkable athletes, their respective journeys to getting to this milestone are unique and have taken them on very different paths. This article will look at how these soccer stars have joined the ranks of billionaires and explain why it has been earned.
What is a Billionaire?
Before we look at how Messi and Ronaldo have reached the status of billionaires, it is important to understand the definition of what makes someone a billionaire. A billionaire has a net worth of at least one billion dollars, a figure that for many is unattainable. However, for Messi and Ronaldo, this is now their reality.
How Did Lionel Messi Become a Billionaire?
The Argentinian soccer star has been playing professional soccer since he was 13 and has since then been on an upward trajectory. His performance on the field has marked him as one of the best players of his generation and allowed him to reap great rewards. With sponsorship deals from some of the world’s biggest brands, his salary from Barcelona and endorsements from the likes of Pepsi, Gatorade and adidas, Messi has solidified his billionaire status.
How Did Cristiano Ronaldo Become a Billionaire?
Unlike Messi, Ronaldo has had a much more diverse portfolio when it comes to aiming for the billionaire status. While still a footballer for Juventus, he is also well-known for his fashion and sports accessories line, as well as his underwear line and a small cosmetics business. He is also well-known for endorsing some of the world’s biggest brands such as Nike and Tag Heuer.
Beyond that, Ronaldo is also an investor and has made several business decisions that have simply added to his wealth. One example of this is when he purchased an entire hotel chain in 2017. Ronaldo also owns an island and has recently made what is likely his biggest purchasing decision to date, a stake in the San Lorenzo de Almagro soccer team in Argentina.
What Is the Difference in Earnings Between Messi and Ronaldo?
Even though they both have achieved billionaire status, there is a difference in earnings between Messi and Ronaldo. According to recent reports, Ronaldo earned around $105 million in 2018 while Messi earned around $80 million in the same year. Total earnings is just one of the metrics that can be used to compare the two players, however it’s clear that they are both reaching great heights of success in their respective careers.
What is Similar Between Messi and Ronaldo?
The pathway to becoming a billionaire may have been different for Messi and Ronaldo, but there are some similarities between the two players. The most important could be their dedication and resilience to stay on top of their game and to continue to look for opportunities for growth and development.
Another shared characteristic, is the mutual respect that both have for each other. At the start of their head-to-head rivalry back in 2009, the two adversaries were said to have had a good relationship, with Ronaldo once stating that Messi was one of the main inspirations for him to always push harder and become the best player. As their rivalry took off, they have maintained a healthy relationship and continue to remain friends, despite the competition.
Is Messi and Ronaldo’s Billionaire Status Achievable for all Professional Soccer Players?
Achieving the billionaire status is something that requires a lot of hard work, dedication and luck. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have all of these attributes and have used them to get to where they are today. That being said, it is not something that can be easily achieved or is achievable for all professional soccer players.
Reaching the billionaire status requires a set of circumstances and luck that many professional soccer players are unlikely to find. Footballers also require highly lucrative contracts and connections to sponsors, as well as the right networking opportunities, to make the most of their careers and gain the wealth they need to become billionaires.
Reaching the status of a billionaire is something that is extremely difficult to do, let alone something that is achievable for the vast majority of professional soccer players. For Messi and Ronaldo, it has not been an easy journey, in fact it has been a long, difficult and winding one.
However, it is with hard work, dedication and a certain degree of luck that they have been able to take the world of soccer by storm and become two of the world’s most successful players. Even though their paths are different, it is clear that the admiration and respect that they have for each other have been instrumental in their success and ultimately, their billionaire status.
