United News of Bangladesh

Cristiano Ronaldo, the world’s all-time leading goal scorer, celebrates his 41st birthday today on Thursday, as much a global brand as a football icon. Beyond league titles, Ballon d’Ors, and Champions League triumphs, Ronaldo has crafted a self-sustaining commercial empire that could thrive even after he retires. His CR7 brand spans footwear, apparel, fragrances, gyms, and hotels. Partnerships include CR7 Crunch Fitness in Portugal and Spain, CR7 Pestana hotels across Madeira, Lisbon, Madrid, Marrakech, and New York, and a fragrance line with Eden Parfums. Ronaldo hints at retirement in “probably one or two years” Ronaldo’s social media reach is unmatched: in September 2025, he became the first person to reach 1 billion followers across all platforms, with 671 million on Instagram alone. His online presence provides unmatched visibility for sponsors, including Nike, Herbalife, Clear, Binance, Tag Heuer, Armani, and Jacob & Co. In the twilight of his career, Ronaldo’s move to Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr offered enormous commercial gains. His 2025 contract extension pays £492 million over two years, including a 15% stake in the club worth £33 million, ensuring a lavish post-playing career. Experts say Ronaldo’s strategy—building digital and tangible assets while active on the pitch—offers a model for athletes worldwide, including India, to grow personal brands alongside sporting careers.

Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo hinted that he will retire within the next two years, confirming that the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup will be his last appearance on football’s biggest stage. “I will be 41 years old and I think will be the moment in the big competition (World Cup),” Ronaldo told CNN’s Becky Anderson in an interview at the Tourism Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday. As for when he’ll retire from the sport, the all-time leading goalscorer in international football history said, “I’m enjoying the moment, but when I mean soon, it’s really soon because I gave everything for football. “I’m in the game for the last 25 years. I did everything. I have many records in the different scenarios in the clubs and also in the national teams. I’m really proud, so let’s enjoy the moment, live the moment.” Ronaldo has scored 143 international goals and is the first-ever male player to score at five World Cups. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner is hoping to play at a sixth World Cup next year. He came closest to lifting the trophy on debut in 2006, when Portugal lost to France in the semi-finals. The expanded 48-team tournament, the largest in history, kicks off June 11, 2026, in the US, Mexico and Canada. The World Cup draw is scheduled for December 5 at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. Portugal have yet to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, but can secure their spot if they beat Ireland on Thursday.