Cristiano Ronaldo has signed a deal tying him to Nike “for life”.
The extension comes in the same week the 31-year-old penned a new five-year deal with Real Madrid, which will see him earning a reported £365,000-a-week after tax, but if reports are to be believed the Nike deal is similar to LeBron James’ – meaning it’s worth around $1 billion (£805,000,000).
Whether or not those reports are correct, Ronaldo’s bank account is sure to see more than the £14.1 million his previous Nike contract earned him each year.
The two-time Ballon D’Or winner’s love affair with Nike started back in 2003 with the boots he wore in a friendly for Sporting Lisbon against Manchester United, recording two assists in a 3-1 win against his future employers.
Ronaldo just released his latest pair of Nike boots, inspired by that pair and the game that changed his life “forever”.
Nike have not confirmed the length or value of the contract, although Ronaldo’s comments about a deal for “life” were posted to their YouTube channel.
A spokesman told The Sun: “The successful partnership between Nike and Cristiano Ronaldo will continue well into the future with a new, long-term contract.”
