The rivalry between two of the best players of our generation extends beyond the court and into the world of merchandise
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are two of the most iconic football players of all time, and both players have huge fan bases eager to support their idols by purchasing football gear. The battle between Ronaldo and Messi isn’t just about goals and titles; it’s also about sales figures and market dominance when it comes to respective kit sales.
The most common jersey numbers in football are 10, 7 and 9. These jersey numbers have all been won by the greatest players in football history, with numbers 7 and 10 made famous by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in the past few years. or. Whenever these two numbers come up, everyone across the globe, not just fans but everyone ends up tending to associate these numbers with Ronaldo and Messi.
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Cristiano Ronaldo: brand powerhouse
The Portuguese superstar not only left a brilliant legacy on the football field, but also in the world of marketing and branding. His move from Manchester United to Real Madrid in 2009 marked the beginning of a sea change in shirt sales. Ronaldo’s rise in popularity has pushed sales of his club shirts to unprecedented heights.
Subsequent moves to Juventus and Manchester United further boosted sales of their respective jerseys, with Ronaldo’s iconic No. 7 jersey becoming a coveted item for fans around the world. Back in 2009, sales of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Real Madrid jerseys hit a staggering 100 million units. Fast forward to 2018, and his Juventus shirt sales reached approximately 64 million units. Also in 2021, his Manchester United jersey sales reached a staggering 233 million pieces, setting a record high for T-shirt sales.
Ronaldo’s shirts have been the talk of the town since his move from Manchester United to Real Madrid, and since then he has sold the most shirts wherever he goes. When he left for Juventus, he set a record for the most single-day shirt sales in Italian football history.
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After Ronaldo joined the Red Devils for the second time, his Manchester United shirt was worth a record-breaking £187 million. Cristiano Ronaldo has generated a ridiculous £187m in shirt sales at Manchester United following his return to Old Trafford.
They obtained data from sales data from more than 1,000 retailers around the world and found that online searches for “Cristiano Ronaldo No. 7 jersey” increased by 600%, resulting in a quarter of official jersey sellers being sold out. Cristiano Ronaldo broke the record for the fastest jersey sales in Premier League history, and also brought 13.1 million pounds in jersey sales revenue to Manchester United.
When he moved to the Saudi Professional League, he caused a stir in the football world. In just over eight months, the club’s fan following has soared from 834,000 to a staggering 18.9 million. After he was announced as an Al Nassr player, 400 shirts were sold in Saudi Arabia in one day, adding to the list of shirts sold wherever he goes.
Lionel Messi: Master of Football
Often hailed as a football genius, Lionel Messi spent his entire career at Barcelona until his move to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in 2021. Sales of Messi’s iconic shirts have soared during his tenure at Barcelona. The number 10 jersey adorns the backs of countless fans around the world. His dribbling skills and unparalleled skills on the pitch translated into unparalleled demand for the commodity.
The move to PSG also triggered a surge in sales of PSG shirts, especially those bearing Messi’s name and number. The Argentine’s influence on the pitch, combined with his loyal fan base, continues to drive merchandise sales, making him a powerful force in the jersey market.
Paris Saint-Germain shocked the football world by claiming the title of eight-time Ballon d’Or winner. Messi’s arrival has earned Paris Saint-Germain an eye-popping £610 million. Messi shirts are also in high demand, with the football icon accounting for 60% of PSG’s sales. PSG sold more than one million shirts, with prices ranging from £79 to £140 each.
Also Read: Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo: Who has better career numbers?
PSG has more than 15 million fans across all platforms, bringing its total fan base to 150 million. Lionel Messi’s Paris Saint-Germain jersey was sold out in just 30 minutes. In the first 24 hours of arrival, the club has sold 832,000 shirts, bringing in £105m. The club keeps about 10%, so the profit on the first day is 10.5 million.
Last year, the 35-year-old Messi finally revealed his next destination after confirming his move to Inter Miami from Paris Saint-Germain. The 35-year-old sold jerseys worth $130 million. To put that into perspective, the highest-grossing Major League Soccer team, Los Angeles FC, has total revenue of $116 million.
When Messi’s transfer was officially completed, Inter Miami broke various club and MLS records. In the United States, Messi’s jersey has the highest sales volume, and Adidas announced that it was out of stock in October.
Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi: Sales Showdown
Precise numbers that determine who sells more football gear, Ronaldo or Messi, remain elusive due to a variety of factors including seasonality, transfer dynamics and club performance. Both players have been among the best-selling jerseys in the world, and their rivalry extends to sales charts. Messi has officially replaced Ronaldo in terms of player jersey sales in football.
Also Read: Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo: Who has more wins and better statistics against each other?
Fluctuations in sales dynamics
Sales of football equipment fluctuate based on a number of variables, including player form, club success and high-profile transfers. Ronaldo moved from club to club, with sales of respective shirts surging, with Juventus and Manchester United experiencing a surge in merchandise revenue following his arrival.
Likewise, Messi’s moves to Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami created unprecedented demand for both clubs, especially with his name and number emblazoned on the back. The Messi effect isn’t limited to Barcelona; it transcends borders and impacts sales wherever he goes.
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