Ex-Chelsea star and richest footballer has net worth 15x greater than Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo became the first footballer to become a billionaire earlier this year, but his wealth doesn't come close to one former Chelsea youth player

Cristiano Ronaldo made history earlier this year by becoming the first footballer to reach billionaire status, thanks to his illustrious career. However, his wealth doesn't come close to making him the wealthiest player in the world.

Ronaldo's lucrative new contract with Al Nassr is set to earn him £492million over two years, after initially signing a record-breaking £173m-per-year deal in Saudi Arabia in 2023. This latest agreement saw the Portuguese star's earnings surpass the £1bn mark.

As reported by Bloomberg, Ronaldo's net worth increased to $1.4bn (£1.045bn) in October. It's hardly surprising that the 40-year-old has aspirations of owning multiple football clubs in the future.

However, even Ronaldo's substantial wealth pales in comparison to one player. It's not his long-time rival Lionel Messi, but rather a star who is far less well-known.

Faiq Bolkiah, who currently plays for Ratchaburi in Thailand, boasts a net worth that vastly exceeds one of the world's biggest football stars. Bolkiah is reportedly worth a staggering £16bn.

The 27-year-old is the nephew of the Sultan of Brunei and one of several heirs to a £200bn fortune. Born in Los Angeles, Bolkiah began his football career with Newbury before honing his skills in the youth teams of Southampton, Chelsea and Leicester City.

The left-winger departed for Maritimo in 2020 without having made a senior appearance in England, and signed his first professional contract. However, Bolkiah struggled to establish himself there as well, managing just one appearance for their under-23 side before relocating to Thailand.

Bolkiah joined Chonburi and featured 32 times, recording two goals and four assists during his spell at the club. He subsequently transferred to Ratchaburi in 2023, a side that has participated in the Asian Champions League.

The Brunei international holds both American and Bruneian citizenship, though he was raised in England. Despite never establishing himself in the Premier League, he played alongside the likes of Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Tammy Abraham at Chelsea.

Another team-mate from that period, Ruben Sammut, recalls the group would gently tease Bolkiah about his wealth. "You would never ever have thought he was something like the 12th in line to the throne," Sammut told The Athletic.

"You would not have thought of him as royalty. He was a humble guy, trying every day like every academy player. We used to joke he didn't need to play football but he wanted to play because he loved football.

"It wasn't a regular thing we mentioned. It was that typical banter, saying he is royalty, saying, 'What's he doing playing with us?' But we all knew deep down how much he wanted to play, so it was more good-willed passing comments."

Bolkiah might also recognise a certain England international cricketer. The footballer attended the prestigious Bradfield College, which charges £58,000 per annum, during his upbringing in England.

The Berkshire-based private school also counts Gus Atkinson, who is of the same age as Bolkiah, among its alumni.