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- Billionaire Ronaldo? Dubai Brokers Double Commissions; UAE Property Surge Continues
Billionaire Ronaldo? Dubai Brokers Double Commissions; UAE Property Surge Continues
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Monday, July 28, 2025
Happy Monday everyone!
Cristiano Ronaldo has officially become the first footballer to reach billionaire net worth status, thanks to his record-breaking Al Nassr deal and vast business empire. Meanwhile, UAE’s residential real estate market is projected to grow at a steady 2.66% annually through 2029, driven by investor confidence and urban expansion. In Dubai, real estate brokers earned Dh3.23 billion in commissions in H1 2025—nearly double last year’s figure—as transaction volumes surged.
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Dubai Real Estate Brokers Double Commissions To AED3.23 Billion In H1 2025
🔹 What Is It About
Dubai’s real estate brokers earned AED3.23 billion in commissions from 42,181 transactions in the first half of 2025—nearly double the AED1.62 billion recorded in the same period last year. The surge coincides with a rise in registered brokers, which reached 29,577, including 6,714 newcomers.
🔹 Why It Matters
The sharp increase in brokerage activity highlights investor confidence, with women now accounting for over AED1.4 billion in deals. Brokers are not just dealmakers—they’re vital to transparency, investor trust, and market efficiency.
🔹 What’s Next
As Dubai continues to expand its real estate footprint, the role of brokers, valuation firms, and service offices will grow. With over 2,400 real estate offices and 114,000+ transactions supported, the sector is set to further boost Dubai’s global investment appeal.
Former Zillow exec targets $1.3T market
The wealthiest companies tend to target the biggest markets. For example, NVIDIA skyrocketed nearly 200% higher in the last year with the $214B AI market’s tailwind.
That’s why investors are so excited about Pacaso.
Created by a former Zillow exec, Pacaso brings co-ownership to a $1.3 trillion real estate market. And by handing keys to 2,000+ happy homeowners, they’ve made $110M+ in gross profit to date. They even reserved the Nasdaq ticker PCSO.
No wonder the same VCs behind Uber, Venmo, and eBay also invested in Pacaso. And for just $2.90/share, you can join them as an early-stage Pacaso investor today.
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Markets
EGX 30 | 34,554.24 | +1.26% |
DFMGI | 6,150.46 | Closed |
ADX | 10,340.06 | Closed |
Tadawul | 10,956.22 | +0.10% |
UAE Residential Real Estate Set To Grow 2.66% Annually Through 2029
🔹 What Is It About
Residential real estate transactions in the UAE are projected to grow at a 2.66% CAGR between 2025 and 2029, according to Statista. The report highlights the sector’s resilience, supported by strong policy, strategic urban planning, and the UAE’s continued global appeal.
🔹 Why It Matters
The steady growth signals deepening investor confidence and a shift toward mature, diversified demand. Developers are being urged to create more connected, livable, and future-ready communities to meet evolving resident and investor expectations.
🔹 What’s Next
With economic and demographic transformation underway, residential real estate is expected to remain a cornerstone of the UAE’s growth strategy—driving innovation, enhancing livability, and reinforcing the country’s status as a property investment hub.
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Has Cristiano Ronaldo Become The First-Ever Footballer Billionaire?
After years of speculation and headlines mixing career earnings with net worth, Cristiano Ronaldo is now being widely reported as the first footballer in history to achieve billionaire status. But is the claim accurate—and does it hold up under financial scrutiny?
🔹 The Billionaire Claim
Multiple reports from reputable financial sources — including Celebrity Net Worth and Forbes—now confirm that Ronaldo’s net worth crossed the $1 billion mark in June 2025. The milestone coincides with the signing of a blockbuster contract extension with Saudi club Al Nassr, reportedly worth up to $620 million over two years, including performance bonuses, equity components, and off-field benefits.
These earnings added to his already massive fortune from two decades of football wages, brand endorsements, business ventures, and licensing deals.
🔹 Career Earnings vs Net Worth
This isn't the first time headlines have claimed Ronaldo hit the billion-dollar threshold. In 2020, Forbes noted he became the first active footballer to earn over $1 billion across his career. However, that figure reflected gross income—not net worth. Taxes, lifestyle expenses, and reinvestments meant he still hadn’t crossed the net asset line.
What’s different in 2025 is the net worth calculation. According to Celebrity Net Worth, a reliable tracker of celebrity finances, Ronaldo’s actual assets—across real estate, businesses (like CR7 fashion and hotels), and retained endorsements—now surpass $1 billion.
🔹 So Is He The First?
Yes—based on available evidence, Cristiano Ronaldo is now the first footballer to verifiably achieve billionaire status in net worth, while still playing professionally. Other elite athletes like Tiger Woods, LeBron James, and Michael Jordan have done so—but only Ronaldo has done it while leading a top-tier club on the pitch.
Lionel Messi, his long-time rival, is expected to follow soon, thanks to massive MLS-related deals and lifetime brand partnerships. But as of mid-2025, Ronaldo stands alone at the financial summit of football.
👨💻From Smashi Business’ Desk
Dreamers: From selling his car to pay salaries to leading a $10.9B real estate empire—Muhammad BinGhatti’s journey is one of bold vision and resilience.
Tabby founder, Palestinian entrepreneur Hosam Arab, speaks out on LinkedIn, condemning the starvation crisis in Gaza and calling for an end to the siege.
Smashi Business Exclusive: House of Pops Eyes European Expansion
From inventing Dubai Chocolate to sharing his journey from Burj Al Arab to TEDx, Chef Noel Catiz joined the Lovin Dubai Show to talk desserts, ideas, and his deep love for Kanafa Nabulsi
🔍In other news…
Morocco allocates nearly $4bn to upgrade airports
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UAE could see up to five IPOs before year-end, says Citi
Space42 secures $695.5mln facility to fund UAE satellites
Hard Rock International to open new hotel, residences in Ras Al Khaimah
America’s Newest Arab-American Billionaire: Meet Ramp’s Karim Atiyeh
UAE gold shoppers get 3-day 'flash sales' and up to 50% discounts
UAE: Companies in select free zones can now buy and own property in Dubai under new deal.
Iraq starts work on $4bn seawater desalination plant
Abu Dhabi’s AD Ports Group establishes its first international office in China
🏦Crypto Corner
Hut 8, part of a American BTC which is partially owned by Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, Gets Approval to Operate in Dubai Financial Hub
Abu Dhabi Judicial Department now accept AE Coin
Crypto Market Value Tops $4 Trillion as Stablecoin Bill Passes
Ripple Partners Ctrl Alt to Tokenize Dubai Real Estate on XRP Ledger
You can soon use crypto when paying at Dubai Duty Free and when flying Emirates in new landmark deal
UAE authority clarifies no Golden Visa issuance for crypto investors
Dubai Land Department teams up with Crypto.com on digital real estate investment plan
Follow Smashi Crypto to find out what’s news in the world of digital assets.
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