Binance signs NFT partnership with Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo

Leading crypto asset exchange Binance has struck a partnership deal with Portuguese and Manchester United football star Cristiano Ronaldo to jointly launch a collection of NFTs.

The NFTs will be sold exclusively on Binance’s platform under the deal, which is said to be “multi-year.” The first collection will be released in late 2022 and will feature designs created in collaboration with Ronaldo.

The 37-year-old forward has played for a number of top European clubs including Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus. He led the Portuguese national team to win the country’s first-ever European Championship in 2016.

Commenting on the partnership, Ronaldo said he was proud to partner with Binance to give his fans an opportunity to own an iconic piece of sports history. 

“My relationship with the fans is very important to me, so the idea of bringing unprecedented experiences and access through this NFT platform is something that I wanted to be a part of,” he said.

Binance said Ronaldo had “transcended sport to become an icon in multiple industries” and it was excited to give his fans “exclusive engagement opportunities to connect with Ronaldo.”

The partnership comes as major football teams in Europe have started to use NFTs and Web3-related technology. 

Joan Laporta, president of Spanish club FC Barcelona, announced in March that the team intended to launch its own crypto asset, NFTs and metaverse. He said the use of technology would be an effective way to improve the team’s financial situation to compete with well-funded teams. The club’s finances have been worsened by a decline in attendance amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Its Spanish rival Real Madrid and Juventus of Italy’s Serie A have also partnered with the NFT blockchain game Sorare to sell players’ cards.

In March, former England midfielder David Beckham became a global ambassador for blockchain company DigitalBits. Its project focuses on security, speed and cost reduction and allows digital assets such as NFTs created by artists, athletes and companies to be tokenised on the blockchain.