The Portuguese Superstar Tops Football’s Marketability Rankings

Football legend Cristiano Ronaldo continues to prove his global dominance, not only on the pitch but also as an unstoppable global brand. The Al Nassr striker was recognized as the most marketable footballer in the world by SportsPro, placing fifth overall among athletes from all sports.

Ahead of the Portuguese icon are Lewis Hamilton (Formula 1), Simone Biles (gymnastics), Ilona Maher (rugby), and Stephen Curry (basketball). Still, Ronaldo leads the football world, finishing ahead of Neymar, who ranked sixth, and other global stars such as Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Jr., and Robert Lewandowski.

SportsPro’s list evaluates athletes based on three key pillars: Brand Strength, Total Addressable Market, and Economics. In total, 18 footballers made the top 50, reaffirming football’s immense influence in the global sports economy.

Messi Drops While Ronaldo Climbs

The ongoing rivalry between Ronaldo and Messi continues to define a generation of sport. In this year’s ranking, the Portuguese star climbed four places compared to last year, while the Inter Miami captain fell eleven spots to 16th place.

Other footballers featured include Bukayo Saka, Lamine Yamal, Marcus Rashford, Mohamed Salah, Jamal Musiala, and Alexia Putellas, who remains the most marketable female footballer. Meanwhile, big names like Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, and Jude Bellingham fell outside the top 50, showing how volatile the sports marketing landscape can be.

According to Michael Long, Director of Key Projects at SportsPro, “This list has become an essential barometer for the sports industry, providing an invaluable snapshot of how the world’s leading athletes are shaping their commercial profiles and brand influence each year.”

Ronaldo’s Legacy Extends Beyond the Pitch

At 40, Cristiano Ronaldo continues to shine with Al Nassr, having scored six goals in seven matches so far this season. He remains focused on reaching the 2026 World Cup with Portugal, the one major trophy still missing from his historic career.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has made it clear that retirement isn’t on his mind yet:

“I want to keep playing for a few more years — not many, to be honest. I’m still producing good things, helping my club and my country. So why stop now?” said Ronaldo.

More than two decades into his professional journey, Cristiano Ronaldo continues to prove that he’s not only a football legend but also one of the most influential figures in global sports and marketing history.