Portuguese icon, Cristiano Ronaldo, is continuing to defy the limitations of age in the world of football. It’s now official that Ronaldo has scored more goals in his 30s than he did in his 20s. His career is marked by an astonishing array of achievements at domestic and continental level, with league titles lifted in Spain, England and Italy, not to mention five Champions League trophies.
This is a man who’s won it all and still has the hunger to hammer home 53 goals in 52 appearances for Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League. He also plundered his 900th career goal in the recent Nations League win over Croatia.
Unfortunately for Ronaldo – and Portuguese football fans – playing careers don’t have an infinite lifespan. Ronaldo has already entered his twilight years. Subsequently, speculation continues to mount over what lies ahead for Ronaldo after hanging up his boots. Below, we chew the fat over some of the potential avenues he could explore next.
Is a career in Hollywood beckoning?
Cristiano Ronaldo has always had a media circus surrounding him akin to that of a Hollywood movie star, so what’s stopping him moving into the film industry? With such a recognisable personal brand, he’d be the ideal candidate to hit the ground running in Hollywood. Famed for his charisma and polished on-screen image, Ronaldo’s transition to the silver screen wouldn’t be as far-fetched as you may first think.
Ronaldo’s already featured in countless television ads, documentaries and has even been at the centre of his own biopic. There are several sports stars who’ve transitioned successfully from sports entertainment to a full-time acting career. Former WWE wrestler, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is one, while former Premier League midfielder, Vinny Jones, has also made his mark. Given Ronaldo’s undisputable love for the limelight, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him land a leading role.
Branded content and other business ventures
Ronaldo is no stranger to the world of business. In fact, he’s something of an entrepreneur already. His CR7 brand, covering apparel, fragrances, and hotels, has become a multi-million-dollar empire in its own right. That doesn’t mean there’s no room to expand the empire though. With gaming and digital media continuing to rise in popularity, there’s a gap in the market for Ronaldo to move into branded or licensed gaming content.
One intriguing possibility is an officially licensed Cristiano Ronaldo slot game, featuring genuine clips of his biggest football moments during spins and bonus features. There’s no doubt that slot games have worldwide appeal in regions where iGaming is licensed. Ronaldo wouldn’t be the first pop culture icon to launch his own branded slot game. Cuddly Hollywood animated character Ted has multiple titles available in industry leading game libraries, along with other cult classics like The Goonies. A Ronaldo-inspired slot would be a fitting legacy for his playing career.
Does Ronaldo have what it takes to succeed in football management?
It’s also possible that Ronaldo could make the decision to stay in the world of football by moving into management. He’s got unrivalled big-game experience and demands a lot of himself and his peers. He’s also got an exceptional football IQ, which is vital in the dugout. Ronaldo has been vocal about his desire to stick around in football after hanging up his boots, so coaching could be a logical step to stay in the limelight.
Imagine a world where Ronaldo assumes the helm at Old Trafford, stepping into the hot-seat that his former Manchester United boss, Sir Alex Ferguson, held for a generation. Could he be the man to restore the Red Devils to their former glories? Perhaps he could return ‘home’ to manage Sporting CP? There would be a certain romance about Ronaldo dipping his toes into football management with the Portuguese club where he first made his name.
Alternatively, Ronaldo may simply be utilised in an ambassadorial role, either at club or international level. With his career and global profile, he could even play a role in promoting the game with FIFA or UEFA, inspiring millions to play and watch the sport he’s dedicated his life to. Whatever Ronaldo’s next career path may be, one thing is for sure he’ll be as much of a success off the pitch as he is on it.
