Cristiano Ronaldo and Michael Jordan are two of the biggest names in sports and their own brands are now appearing on the front of football shirts
Cristiano Ronaldo joins Michael Jordan in becoming one of the few athletes in the world to have a top football team’s jersey produced by his brand.
Ronaldo, 38, may not play for a European team this season after signing with Saudi Professional League club Al Nassr last year, but he will be on the continent’s football scene thereafter. That’s because his boyhood club Sporting CP are celebrating his 20th anniversary in the first team in a special way.
The Lisbon club announced his debut on August 6 and will provide him with his third kit of the season. The black shirt with gold sleeves and white detailing on the cuffs also features his “CR7” branding, while Nike’s swoosh can be found here.
Ronaldo has signed a lifetime contract with the American manufacturer. The same goes for Jordan, whose namesake brand is one of the few to receive similar exposure.
In 2018, Jordan Brand signed an exclusive three-year partnership with Paris Saint-Germain. In the years since, the Jumpman logo has adorned several pieces of the club’s merchandise, including several of their alternate shirts.
Last season’s fourth jersey also has a similar color scheme to Sporting Lisbon’s new jersey. The comparisons can now begin, as it debuted in Sporting CP’s third league game on Sunday.
They wore the third jersey against Famalicao, albeit at home. The 19-time Portuguese champions also made a winning start wearing this jersey, continuing their 100% start to the season.
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A goal from Paulinho early in the second half was enough to secure all three points. The jersey will also appear in their domestic cup competitions and Europa League matches, as they did in their group stages this year.
The debut on the pitch only continues the hype surrounding this rather unique jersey. It started with a splashy video released by the club to announce the news.
The caption of the social media post read: “Come back in time with us. August 6, 2003 (to) August 6, 2023. 20 years of Estádio Jose Alvalade and beyond The world’s best Ballon d’Or (5) unite as one.”
The video also comes with on-screen subtitles. “Stop,” they began. “Throwback to 2003. It’s August 6, 2003. You’re at the new Estadio José Alvalade. The referee is about to start Sporting CP’s match against Manchester United.
“Now stop again. Fast forward 20 years and 5 Ballon d’Ors to now. It’s August 6, 2023,” it continued, before directing viewers to a website where they can purchase the shirt.
People are doing it. It sold out on the first day it was available for purchase on Nike’s website. Tens of thousands of kits have been sold in the first month alone.