While most people were unwrapping socks and chocolates last Christmas, football icon Cristiano Ronaldo received a gift on an entirely different scale: a £250,000 Rolls-Royce from his fiancée, Georgina Rodriguez. The extravagant present, however, sparked controversy when a Spanish politician described the display of wealth as "pornographic."
The Lavish Gift and Political Backlash
Footage of the moment Ronaldo received the luxury vehicle, wrapped with a giant red bow, circulated on social media during the 2022 festive season. The Portuguese superstar, who was already earning a reported £173 million per year in Saudi Arabia at the time, was visibly delighted with the stunning car.
Yet, the video did not sit well with everyone. Spanish politician Miguel Angel Revilla voiced strong criticism during an interview on the television programme Mas vale tarde on La Sexta. Revilla explicitly linked the opulent gift to the economic hardships faced by many, citing issues like high inflation.
"I thought the present was pornographic," Revilla stated. "With what people are experiencing at the moment, that these things come out on TV it’s not moral. These types of attitudes seem like hard pornography."
Ronaldo's Multi-Million Pound Car Collection and Record Contract
The Rolls-Royce is just one jewel in Ronaldo's vast collection of luxury vehicles, which is estimated to be worth a combined £17 million. This garage includes models like a £1 million McLaren Senna and a customised Mercedes G-Wagon Brabus.
His capacity for such luxury was further amplified earlier in 2025 when he signed what is reported to be the most lucrative contract in sporting history with Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr. The deal commits him to the club until he is 42 years old.
Breaking Down the Al-Nassr Mega-Deal
The financial details of Ronaldo's new agreement are staggering:
- He will earn a phenomenal £488,000 per day.
- The total two-year contract is valued at £492 million.
- This includes a £24.5 million signing bonus, rising to £38 million if he activates the second year.
- Reports from SunSport also suggest he will receive a 15% ownership stake in Al-Nassr, worth approximately £33 million.
- Performance bonuses could add millions more, including £4 million for winning the golden boot and £8 million if Al-Nassr secure the league title.
If all bonuses are achieved, Ronaldo could approach earnings of half a billion pounds in just two years, solidifying his status as the highest-paid sportsperson of all time.
The episode highlights the vast divide in perceptions of wealth, where a celebratory gift for one of the world's most famous athletes is viewed by others as a tone-deaf spectacle during widespread economic uncertainty.
