FIFA World Footballer of the Year award winner, Cristiano Ronaldo, has signed a deal to become a brand ambassador for PokerStars.
Sometimes I can look like an utter mug.
It’s the risk you take when you prefer offering an opinion rather than spreading the same old slime over the keyboard.
Take the other week as an example.
I penned an article, for another poker news site, suggesting that PokerStars were on the verge of signing Cristiano Ronaldo to act as a brand ambassador. I wrote it, pressed send, and distributed my thoughts to the world.
Later that day PokerStars signed Neymar from Barcelona.
What a mug.
Today, that foresight doesn’t seem so bad, as PokerStars announce they have signed the reigning World Footballer of the Year to act as a brand ambassador. Speaking on a video posted on his personal Facebook page, Ronaldo said, “I am very happy to be a part of the PokerStars team. I love to play poker. It’s a fantastic game, and I love to play it with family and friends. To challenge the best players in poker will be fun. I am really proud to be part of the team. Are you ready…are you ready?”
It’s a fantastic signing, and another example of the kind of money the world’s largest online poker room is capable of generating. The signatures of Ronaldo, Neymar and Rafael Nadal do not come cheap. Let’s hope the poker community gets the value the trio can quite obviously provide if they are focused on promoting the brand.
Ronaldo is coming off the back of a disappointing season. His Real Madrid team were knocked out the Champions League Semi Finals by Juventus, and pipped to Spanish Championships by their arch rivals Barcelona. The Portuguese star has also lost his coach, and good friend, Carlo Ancelotti, after the Club President, Florentino Perez, sacked him after two years in charge. It’s also likely that his FIFA World Player of the Year mantle, which he has earned for the past two seasons, will pass to his nemesis Lionel Messi.
Ronaldo is one of the greatest footballers to ever grace the game. He is also a social media revelation. He has 103 million Facebook fans, 35.5 million Twitter followers, and 19.2 million Instagram followers.
“Ronaldo is a part of a new generation of global superstar athletes that work hard, play smart and encourage their fans to share in their lives. We’re proud that Ronaldo – and fellow elite player Neymar Jr – have chosen to make PokerStars a partner in their journey and to share their love of the game of poker with their legions of fans.” Said Amaya Chairman and CEO David Baazov.
The signings of Ronaldo and Neymar is interesting to say the least. There is no love lost between their teams Real Madrid and Barcelona, but both have worked together with Nike where they also signed lucrative contracts several years ago.
It’s doubtful we will see Ronaldo slumming it on the WSOP & EPT with the likes of Gerard Pique, John Arne Riise, and John Carew, but you can be sure PokerStars will organize more controlled single table action, where the world’s greatest footballer will compete against members of Team PokerStars Pro, and a selection of very fortunate fans.
Are you ready?
Cristiano Ronaldo seems to be.
