Ronaldo's hotel empire expands: Footballer pays top wages
Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the biggest football stars and captain of the Portuguese national team, reportedly pays up to 2,300 euros (1,900 pounds) per month in his hotels, according to Portuguese media. The hotel chain is being developed across three continents under the brand Pestana CR7.
Referring to job offers in Pestana CR7 hotels, Portuguese media note that in the Portuguese and Spanish branches of this network, managers receive up to 2,300 euros (1,900 pounds) per month, while hotel service staff earn up to 2,000 euros (1,700 pounds).
Up to 2,300 euros (1,900 pounds) per month: Ronaldo's contributions
A generous holiday allowance is an incentive to work in some of the less well-paid positions at the Madrid hotel. In some cases, this reaches up to 50 days a year.
Pestana CR7 outlets operate in Lisbon, Funchal, Madrid, Marrakech, and New York. There are plans to open hotels in Paris and Manchester.
A key person in the development of the hotel network is Dionisio Pestana, a businessman from the tourism sector who, like Ronaldo, hails from the Atlantic island of Madeira.
According to the Lisbon weekly "Expresso," Ronaldo holds a 50 per cent stake in the Pestana CR7 Holding company, developed in partnership with the Portuguese businessman.
The Portuguese national football team captain currently holds stakes in over 20 companies worldwide. These companies span sectors such as sports, clothing, media, and gastronomy in addition to tourism and hospitality.
Among the highest-paid athletes
Last year, Cristiano Ronaldo topped the "Forbes" ranking of the highest-paid athletes, ahead of Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe. The Portuguese star, with an income of 136 million dollars (104 million pounds), surpassed the Argentine, who earns 130 million (99 million pounds), and the Frenchman, who earns 120 million (91,5 million pounds). Basketball player LeBron James occupies fourth place with 119.5 million (91 million pounds).
Cristiano Ronaldo reclaimed the top spot in the ranking in 2023, a position he also held in 2016 and 2017. This return to the top directly resulted from his move from Manchester United to Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr Riyadh. His two contracts brought him 46 million dollars (35 million pounds) last season, and he earned a 90 million dollar (69 million pounds) profit from other ventures.
The Portuguese star is contracted with Al-Nassr until 2025, receiving an annual salary of 75 million dollars (57 million pounds). Ronaldo has also become an unofficial sports ambassador for Saudi Arabia, which earns him additional income.
