Cristiano Ronaldo Spotted Wearing Rival Shoes, Breaking Nike Deal
Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese superstar, has caused a stir after being spotted wearing shoes from a rival brand, Asics, despite being a long-time Nike athlete and ambassador. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has been signed to Nike for over 20 years and has worn over 70 different pairs of their boots, including his own bespoke CR7 versions.
The 38-year-old was seen playing padel tennis with friend Miguel Paixao, and a picture of the two was posted online, showing Ronaldo wearing Asics trainers. This is not the first time Ronaldo has worn a rival brand, as he was previously spotted wearing Adidas shinpads during a pre-season match for Al Nassr against Celta Vigo last year.
Ronaldo’s decision to wear Asics shoes may have been a one-off, but it has sparked questions about his loyalty to Nike. The Portuguese superstar has been known to wear other brands, such as Louis Vuitton and Gucci, but not a direct competitor to Nike in the running shoes market.
It’s worth noting that Ronaldo’s son, Cristiano Jr, has also faced backlash in the past for wearing Adidas products. In 2022, Ronaldo’s mum, Maria Dolores, shared a snap of her and her grandson on social media, showing him wearing a Nike hoodie but Adidas socks and sliders. The post prompted many critical comments, with some fans accusing Ronaldo of being a hypocrite.
Ronaldo’s response to the backlash was simple: "He wears what he wants. Not what you want." The Portuguese superstar is currently on a break after his involvement in Euro 2024 with Portugal and is expected to join up with Al Nassr for pre-season in the near future.
This incident raises questions about the loyalty of high-profile athletes to their sponsors. With the rise of social media, athletes are more exposed than ever before, and their every move is scrutinized by fans and the media. Asics may be hoping to capitalize on Ronaldo’s fame and attract more attention to their brand, but it remains to be seen whether this move will pay off in the long run.
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