Cristiano Ronaldo, the greatest goal scorer of all time, turned 41 today, i.e., on February 5, 2026. With his accolades, including league titles, Ballon d’Ors, Golden Boots, and the UCLs, known to all, in this piece, let’s delve into the footballer’s commercial ventures, which make him an industry in himself. The Portuguese superstar has forged a self-sustaining commercial biosphere that could benefit him even if he hangs up his boots tomorrow.
- CR7: A Peak Beyond the Pitch
Cristiano’s CR7 brand, which was initiated in Portugal, skyrocketed across the globe during his tenure on the football pitch and has attracted eyeballs from throughout the globe.
Footwear and Fashion:
Ronaldo’s brand in this category includes shoes, clothes, fragrances, and daily wear. The brand is available in multiple nations across continents; it marked its beginning in the athlete’s home country and is now growing globally.
CR7 Pestana:
The Portuguese captain’s and the hotel brand, Pestana’s, association kicked off in 2016, and the first hotel under that agreement was opened in Madeira. In addition, the Al Nassr forward also owns hotels in this collaboration in Lisbon (Portugal), Madrid (Spain), Marrakech (Morocco), and New York City (USA). These aforementioned hotels primarily cater to sports fans and youngsters.
Gym:
The 41-year-old entered into a joint venture with Crunch Fitness in 2016. CR7 Crunch Fitness began its journey in Portugal and later expanded into Spain.
Fragrances:
The former Real Madrid winger launched his line of fragrance in 2015 in a partnership with Eden Parfums.
In September 2025, the former Real Madrid winger became the first person to have 1 billion followers across all social media platforms. The footballer currently has 671 million followers on Instagram, making him the most-followed individual on the platform. The Portuguese striker’s social media handles aren’t just tools utilized for marketing but media assets that align with sponsors, leagues, and broadcasters from time to time.
The veteran’s elite performance for over two decades on the pitch has enabled him to gather a global audience via his social media handles, which eclipses the reach that TV networks gather. When brands associate with Cristiano, they aren’t just buying attention but guaranteed visibility from viewers across different walks of life.
We’ve made history — 1 BILLION followers! This is more than just a number – it’s a testament to our shared passion, drive, and love for the game and beyond.
From the streets of Madeira to the biggest stages in the world, I’ve always played for my family and for you, and now 1… pic.twitter.com/kZKo803rJo
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) September 12, 2024
Portugal’s number 7 has the likes of Nike, Herbalife, Clear, Binance, Tag Heuer, Armani, and Jacob & Co. in his blockbuster endorsement portfolio. With social media being the primary platform to endorse brands, Ronaldo has kept his portfolio concise and precise, which aligns with his brand personality.
After mutually concluding the Manchester United FC contract, the 41-year-old moved to the Saudi Pro League (SPL) to play for Al Nassr. The move was criticised by many, but it provided fruitful commercial gains in the twilight of his career. Participating in a league outside of Europe enabled the former United player to function in a sports ecosystem that’s backed by the government and an emerging economy that elevated his brand relevancy and presented him with a new audience as well.
In 2025, the five-time UCL champion renewed his contract with Al Nassr for two years for an eye-watering £492 million. Under this extension, according to The Sun, Ronaldo will earn £488,000 per day, which equates to £3.42 million per week, £20,357 per hour, £339.28 per minute, and £5.65 per second.
There are several other perks included in this whopping contract, which also includes a 15% stake in the club, worth £33 million. Such an exuberant sporting contract in the latter stage of a career profoundly guarantees a lavish retirement life.
- Learnings That Could Be Replicated in the Indian Sporting Ecosystem:
The Indian sports environment is blessed with a diverse population that could easily escalate the brand if communicated accurately. As Cristiano established his brand while playing, the same can be replicated among Indian athletes, rather than a player reaching their peak or post-retirement.
Instead of focusing on signing multiple endorsements, building digital and tangible assets like merchandising, content, and online communities could go a long way. With social media platforms at disposal, leveraging them via communicating a brand aligning with an athlete’s personality is more fruitful than just using them as a billboard for brands.
