The Ronaldo Effect: Nike to Sign Cruzeiro and Real Valladolid?
Rumors are circulating in Brazil that Cruzeiro could soon leave Adidas for Nike. Comments made by the club's owner (and best ever player) Ronaldo seem to hint that a deal may be in the works. Thanks to @mantosdofutebol for the heads up.
Cruzeiro and Valladolid to Sign With Nike?
Ronaldo is best remembered by most from his days tormenting La Liga and Serie A defences, but he is now back in Brazil at his first club, Cruzeiro, where he scored 34 goals in 34 games in his only full season before moving to Europe.
With his playing days behind him, Il Fenomeno is still involved in football but in the much different capacity of club owner. As well as Cruzeiro, he also bought Spanish club Real Valladolid.
During a livestream from a recent Nike event, Ronaldo was asked if people would like to see the Swoosh on Cruzeiro's shirts, to which he responded:
"I can't say anything in advance, but there are a lot of things happening, great things. We can not say much, but we are working hard to bring the best to Cruzeiro and Valladolid.
Although nothing has been confirmed, these comments strongly suggest that we could see Nike sign both Cruzeiro and Real Valladolid. Ronaldo himself has been signed to Nike since the age of 18 and was their biggest star in the 90s and 00s, while he has remained an ambassador for the brand and obviously still has strong ties to them.
Cruzeiro and Real Valladolid are both currently sponsored by Nike's biggest rival, Adidas, since 2020 and 2019 respectively, but as owner Ronaldo would obviously have the authority to change technical sponsors.
Would you like to see Cruzeiro and Valladolid wearing Nike kits? Do you think they would receive more bespoke designs due to Ronaldo's involvement? Comment below.
