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March 1, 2024
If there's a good example of what a game-changer is, that has to be Cristiano Ronaldo. When the Portuguese player participates in a football game, numbers show us that the betting market always has to adapt to him...
Cristiano Ronaldo has had a massive impact on football ever since he debuted for Sporting CP. His decades-long illustrious career has seen him play for the most prominent teams alongside the biggest and best footballers. Yet, he remains one of the most humble people on the planet, never forgetting his roots. Whenever CR7 joins a team, he brings an element of influence you can see unfold on the pitch. From locker room antics to spars with other clubs, Ronaldo's influence on his team, the management, and betting odds has been a focal point for years. This article analyzes Ronaldo's inclusion in teams and how this impacts betting odds.
Cristiano Ronaldo - A tribute:
Ronaldo has been a force on the football pitch since he kicked his first ball. Of course, he had to learn several tricks and train consistently to remain on form. His journey kicked off at Sporting Lisbon, where his talent and skill quickly caught the eye of club management and rival players. Little did he know that his spell at Sporting Lisbon would set the tone for his remarkable career. Fast forward to 2003, and CR7 joined one of the most prominent English football clubs, Manchester United.
Here, his true influence on soccer betting began to take shape. For seven years in 196 appearances, the team’s success was often linked to Ronaldo's brilliance, which led to shifts in odds as bookmakers adjusted their predictions based on the Portuguese star’s abilities on the pitch. During this era, the term "The Ronaldo Effect" entered the zeitgeist and was not only about his goal-scoring abilities. Bookmakers carefully studied Ronaldo and realized that when he was playing, something exciting would happen for United.
The Portuguese footballer had a successful time with United, winning three Premier League titles and one Champions League title. However, his great move to Real Madrid, while surprising at the time, would later prove enjoyable for bookmakers and fans alike. From 2009, CR7 was a force — playing alongside Karim Benzema, Kaka, Luka Modric, and Gareth Bale — who turned the club into the legend it is today.
Ronaldo would consistently remain the top goal scorer in this period, making it easy for bookmakers to predict scores and game outcomes. CR7's consistent performances were not only magical but also allowed people to bet on him, his outcomes, and the club without hesitation.
The Ronaldo Effect influenced betting in every aspect, and it was substantial. His inclusion in this team had knock-on effects that saw Real Madrid become betting favorites across seasons. While the club had a unique yet legendary status before the star joined, it became further amplified with his inclusion. The team won a whopping four Champions League titles with the club, which probably made so many bookmakers smile!
After one of the most successful eras in Real Madrid's history, Ronaldo — now a Ballon d'Or-winning mega star — moved to Juventus in 2018. This is the Serie A big leagues, where everyone in Spain goes all out to prove how amazing they and their clubs are. However, Ronaldo has a way of unintentionally redirecting the spotlight to himself.
The Serie A is a highly competitive league, boasting gameplay as exciting as English football. Some would say its defensive and competitive nature makes it the most demanding football to play. While this may be true, CR7 made an incredible impact on betting odds during this time. The club became the favorite to win the Serie A — now that's the Ronaldo Effect. During this time, betting odds increased again, focusing on his performances.
Interestingly, betting markets, bookmakers, and gamblers were adapting their predictions based on Ronaldo’s style of play in Serie A. This was by no means easy, and it was based on several factors, like how the team relied on him to score goals and his ability to perform in crucial games. By the time he was nearing the end of his time with Juventus, sports betting organizations were closely monitoring Ronaldo’s fitness and form, and odds fluctuated based on this.
Ronaldo is in no way stating that he is ready to retire, yet bookmakers have been offering retirement odds. His move to the Saudi Pro League in 2023 was a surprising turn of events; sports betting organizations were getting ready for a brand-new tournament and market! The Saudi League was relatively unknown when this high-profile signing rolled around. However, bookmakers were questioning the impact of betting odds now that CR7 has entered the league.
The evaluation was less about concern but rather about how CR7, which by all accounts is the most famous footballer in the world, would impact betting odds significantly. And he did! Bookmakers faced quite a few adjustments as the Ronaldo Effect showed them a different side to the football landscape, the level of competitiveness, team dynamics, and how Ronaldo's overall presence affects the league.
Cristiano Ronaldo next game for Al Nassr is on March 4 for the Asian AFC Champions League, against Al Ain. You can watch Al Ain vs Al Nassr, Monaco vs PSG, West Ham vs Brentford, Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool, Brentford vs Chelsea and Sporting CP vs SL Benfica, all matches provided from our soccer sports live game pages.
Al Nassr next game:
Al Ain vs Al Nassr kick-off time (04-03-2023):
Beijing (China) | UTC/GMT+7: 23:00
India (New Delhi) | UTC/GMT+4.30: 20:30
Saudi Arabia (Riyadh) | UTC/GMT+2: 18:00
Spain (Madrid) | UTC/GMT+1: 17:00
Portugal and England (Lisbon/London) | UTC/GMT+0: 16:00
Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) | UTC/GMT-3: 13:00
New York (United States) | UTC/GMT-4: 12:00
Los Angeles (United States) | UTC/GMT-7: 11:00
Sources: ronaldo7.net / statista.com / olbg.com
