Ronaldo pens `long-term` sponsorship deal with Nike

Madrid [Spain], Nov.9 : A day after penning a mega five-year extension contract with Real Madrid, star striker Cristiano Ronaldo has signed a new sponsorship deal with Nike, the American Sportswear giant.

The two multimillion mega-deals are expected to cement the 31-year-old's status as the world's highest-paid sportsman, ahead of Barcelona rival Lionel Messi.

Ecstatic to extend his long-term sponsorship with Nike, Ronaldo admitted that he has an excellent relationship with the brand.

"I have an excellent relationship with this brand, I have great friends here and we work as a family. This is my brand," the Portuguese striker was quoted as saying by the Marca. Describing Ronaldo as 'the most famous athlete in the world', Nike considered the Real Madrid striker to be the biggest sports star of the 21st century in the same way basketball star Michael Jordan dominated the 20th century.

"He transcends the world of football, as the most famous athlete in the world and the most popular on social networks," Nike said.

The Portuguese star has had a contract with Nike since 2003 and wears its Mercurial cleats. Ronaldo, the three-time World Player of the Year, has enjoyed his most successful year at a collective level, having inspired Real Madrid to the Champions League glory before winning Euro 2016 with Portugal against host France.

Source: ANI