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March 18, 2025
Every once and a while, there comes an athlete who has the power to change the way we look at the sport, with everything that it implies. Ronaldo made sure his legacy wouldn be carved in gold and his name will be remembered by many generations to come...
Cristiano Ronaldo is arguably the most recognized name of the sport of football. The impacts he has made to football positive or negative have changed the game from team structures, finances and even to the existing culture of fandom across the globe. Aside from the goals and trophies he has scored and won, the Portugal international has massively influenced the football world for the better now popularly referred to as "The Ronaldo effect".
Cristiano Ronaldo - Believer
With each team Ronaldo joins, he raises the internal standards and expectations. The levels of his skill and his relentless will to win push the rest of the team to dig deeper and give their best. He works harder than everyone else during training, which raises the standard of work ethic among all professionals.
Manchester United saw this effect during both of his stints at the club, where younger players noted his arrival at training grounds hours early and his customized nutrition and recovery programs. This approach to preparation has influenced an entire generation of footballers to adopt more rigorous fitness regimes.
His presence brings a psychological boost to teammates. Players around him often perform at higher levels due to increased confidence and motivation. This became evident at Juventus and Real Madrid, where multiple teammates experienced career-best seasons while playing alongside him.
Ronaldo’s contract is equally a business decision as it is a sporting one. Juventus sold over 520,000 shirts for Ronaldo’s first marketing announcement in the first 24 hours after he was signed. This same awe-inspiring merchandise phenomenon occurs with every club he joins.
He brings with him an impressive amount of fans that ensure higher ticket sales. During Ronaldo’s first season with Real Madrid, the stadium attendance grew by 12%. Juventus had a 30% increase in ticket sales after Ronaldo joined the club. These figures would certainly indicate an increase in revenue.
Ronaldo brings in superb commercial value which helps the club secure sponsorship contracts. With clubs that have Ronaldo’s endorsement come impressive partnerships with global brands. This sudden increase in sponsorship revenue allows the clubs to make more money outside the football business.
Ronaldo oversees one of the largest social media followings in sports, boasting over 650 million followers on Instagram. He is able to digitally reach fans from every corner of the world, which creates engagement opportunities for his clubs.
His followers are located across the globe with large fan bases in Asia, North America, Africa, and Europe. This universal admiration enables clubs to further increase their international recognition and create new marketing possibilities.
The bond that exists between the fans and Ronaldo is deeper than that of a casual fan and an athlete. Research on fans reveals that supporters have a higher emotional engagement when Ronaldo plays for the team they support, which results in greater viewership for the matches and sales of club merchandise.
Ronaldo has become a market in himself. Time and time again, his transfers have set new benchmarks for other elite players and their club's market value. His transfer to Juventus for €100 million at the age of 33 stunned many and completely altered the dynamics of how older top-tier players were assumed to be valued.
Associations with him affect team shares. After Juventus announced his signing, the day after, the club's shares soared 11%, proving that his worth with the team greatly exceeds the sales made.
His influence extends to betting markets and engagement. His performances and potential achievements drive significant betting activity. According to reports from NonGamstopUK, wagers placed on Ronaldo-related events consistently rank among the highest in football betting, and most of the bettors are attracted to them. Ronaldo-focused bets generate substantial engagement across betting platforms, from goals scored to transfer speculation.
Ronaldo is the foremost influence among younger football players. His journey from being an average kid in Madeira to becoming a global icon should be a goal for players trying to make it big from anywhere in the world.
Nutrition and exercise came to be viewed in a different light during and after Ronaldo's peak days in football. Players are now expected to adhere to diet, exercise, and recovery schedules that are standard in and around his name.
The best Ronaldo attributes are now taught in football academies all over the world. These include a dedication to the game, a strong work ethic, and self-evolution. Such principles are the foundation of the learning schemes given to younger footballers.
Cristiano Ronaldo next game for Portugal is on March 20, against Denmark for the UEFA Nations League. You can watch Denmark vs Portugal, Brazil vs Colombia, Netherlands vs Spain, England vs Albania, Croatia vs France and Italy vs Germany, all matches provided from our football live game pages.
Portugal next game:
Denmark vs Portugal kick-off time (20-03-2025):
Beijing (China) | UTC/GMT+7: 02:45
India (New Delhi) | UTC/GMT+4.30: 00:15
Saudi Arabia (Riyadh) | UTC/GMT+2: 21:45
Spain (Madrid) | UTC/GMT+1: 20:45
Portugal and England (Lisbon/London) | UTC/GMT+0: 19:45
Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) | UTC/GMT-3: 16:45
New York (United States) | UTC/GMT-4: 15:45
Los Angeles (United States) | UTC/GMT-7: 12:45
Sources: ronaldo7.net / goal.com / visitmadeira.com
