Cristiano Ronaldo’s extraordinary football career has not only brought him fame on the pitch but has also paved the way for a remarkable business journey.
From his lucrative move to Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, reportedly earning him £173m annually, to his recent investment in the Portuguese media company Cofina, Ronaldo’s business portfolio has expanded significantly.
In his latest venture, Ronaldo joined a group of investors acquiring Cofina for an estimated €56.8m (£49.4m). This media conglomerate includes widely circulated newspapers, a sports daily, a free newspaper, a business paper, a television channel, and various magazines. Despite past clashes with Cofina-owned media, Ronaldo’s involvement signals a new chapter as he now holds a significant share in the company.
Not limited to media, Ronaldo has delved into the digital agency sector, taking majority ownership of Thing Pink in 2017, subsequently rebranded as 7EGEND. This agency focuses on delivering strategies, products, and solutions in the sports industry, with major European clubs and the Portuguese Football Federation among its clients.
However, not all of Ronaldo’s ventures have been without scrutiny. The hair transplant clinics he co-owns, under the Insparya Medical Clinic brand, are reportedly under investigation by the Spanish Tax Agency for issuing invoices without VAT. The clinics argue that these services are exempt from VAT due to being related to medical services for alopecia.
Ronaldo’s foray into the hotel industry is a notable success, with the CR7 brand establishing hotels in Lisbon, Funchal, New York, Madrid, and Marrakech, with a planned sixth hotel in Paris.
These boutique hotels offer luxury amenities, emphasizing sport as a major theme.
Beyond real estate, Ronaldo’s property empire includes homes in Portugal, Turin, Madrid, and Marbella. His CR7 lifestyle brand encompasses eyewear, footwear, underwear, and fragrances, remaining unaffected despite the closure of the CR7 store in Madeira.
As a brand ambassador for major companies like Nike, Ronaldo’s earning potential extends far beyond his playing career. Forbes estimates his earnings at $260m (£208m) this year, indicating that Ronaldo’s business ventures will likely continue flourishing long after he hangs up his boots.