Cristiano Ronaldo shows his greatness off the pitch — in a way you didn’t expect

Cristiano Ronaldo is a name that surpasses soccer. It may sound exaggerated, but he is an icon of success for the whole world worldwide, both on and off the field. With more than a billion followers on social media, Ronaldo isn't just a player; he is a personal brand, capable of moving millions or even billions of people with advertising, business, and sponsorships.

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The first mental image that comes to most people's minds at the mention of Cristiano Ronaldo is that of a hungry, irrepressible goal getter, an athleticism momentum going after goals and trophies. Precious few, however, may hardly think about how he used that image to build an empire much greater than just the soccer pitch. His latest venture, the line of champagnes called "777 Goals," is only the latest example of how the Portuguese star uses his career to break into new markets and make sure he cements his presence as a commercial powerhouse.

The billion-follower brand

Ronaldo reached the incredible landmark of one billion social media followers, really cementing him into his position as the most followed athlete in the world. And this is not simply a result of what he does on the field but also how he maintains his image away from it.

Social media has, till today, been the ultimate barometer of relevance for any public figure, and this is something Ronaldo knew from a very early stage. His followers aren't just there for the goals or highlight reels; they're buying into the lifestyle that he promotes. Ronaldo represents the epitome of someone who has reached the top-whether in sports or his personal life. From being a loving family man to a successful entrepreneur, he has formed a tale to attract an army of loyal fans.

From goals to champagne: Ronaldo business savvy

If Ronaldo is a goal-scoring machine on the field, off it, he's a business powerhouse. His latest launch-the "777 Goals" champagne-is a direct reflection of his soccer journey and an indication of how well he has cultivated his personal brand over the years. But 777 wasn't an accident. It's the number of goals Ronaldo had scored when the brand was conceived, and the number 7-which he had immortalized at clubs like Manchester United and Real Madrid.

Teaming up with French vineyard Clément Victor, Ronaldo and his sister Elma Aveiro introduced a luxury product which combined history, exclusivity, and of course, Ronaldo's signature flair. Only 777 were produced-a direct nod to his historic goal tally-and each bottle weighs in at a hearty 1,777 euros.

This kind of venture really nails in Ronaldo's commercial value: he's selling not just a product but a story-a part of his legacy.

The power of numbers and exclusivity

What is even more interesting is how Cristiano Ronaldo used the numbers associated with his fame in soccer as a way of adding weight to his business pursuits: "777" on the bottles is a symbol meaning much more than just goals; it also speaks to his iconic number 7 jersey, too-a brand in and of itself.

Ronaldo knows his followers are not only devout, but they also love exclusivity. This product isn't just about sipping champagne; it's owning a piece of Ronaldo's career, given that less than 200 bottles are still available for purchase.

And launching the champagne on his mother Maria Dolores Aveiro's birthday? That, too, is not an accident. It gives the whole campaign a personal and emotional signature, proving that even in business, Ronaldo doesn't forget his roots.

Cristiano Ronaldo: more than an athlete

Though Ronaldo's goal count keeps climbing-he's surpassed 900 and continues breaking records-the evidence is clear that the Portuguese star is thinking about the future. At 38, he knows his time as a player is coming to an end. But it doesn't seem to be a problem. Ronaldo has already ensured a position among the most influential and successful figures in the world, with an empire far beyond soccer.

His hotel chain, "Pestana CR7," initiated with his sister Katia Aveiro, was simply another indicator of the business mindset of this particular athlete. He opted to create diversity in his portfolio, not allowing himself to be dependent on a single sector, rather exploring avenues where his image could guarantee him a MODERATE level of success. The initiations of the champagne brand with his other sister, Elma, only underlined his brilliant aptitude to be able to leave a lasting legacy that will continue long after he may have quit playing football.

CR7 brand: the future

With his empire already up and running, one wonders-how far will the CR7 brand stretch? Cristiano Ronaldo has proved he is more than just a soccer player: he is a marketing strategist, a sharp entrepreneur, and above all, a public figure with an incredible knack for turning everything he touches into gold-or in this case, luxury champagne.

With special products released, such as "777 Goals", Ronaldo proves that he understands the importance of telling stories in the business world. His fans want more than to just get the products; they want to be part of his journey, his climb to the top.

All in all, Cristiano Ronaldo remains an on-field and off-field phenomenon. Setting trends for more than a billion followers means defining them. His champagne venture stands as the next step in what can only be described as an out-of-bounds career. If there is one thing to learn, it is that Ronaldo more than anyone else knows exactly how to parlay soccer success into a platform to something much bigger.