Ronaldo to invest in ‘CR7’ hotels

Lisbon, December 18

Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is already looking towards life after football as he unveiled plans to invest over EUR37 million in hotels bearing his ‘CR7’ moniker in his native Portugal, Madrid and New York.

“Many footballers finish their careers without knowing what they want to do. For me it’s clear — I want to take care of my brands,” Ronaldo told AFP on Thursday. The triple Ballon d’Or winner unveiled his plans to link up with the Pestana Hotel Group with ‘CR7’ hotels planned in three cities linked to his career — Funchal, Lisbon and Madrid — and another in New York where he has been linked with Major League Soccer in the future.

“At 30 years I still have a lot of options, I have great support around me, I’m really very happy,” insisted Ronaldo, adding “other projects will come. What I want is that my name will always be the best in whatever domain I work”. Ronaldo already looked at ease in his grey businessman’s suit and red tie as he discussed his plans for the future in Lisbon.

Although he hopes his footballing career will continue “another six, seven or even ten years”, it is out of the question that he will follow a career on the touchline. “I don’t see myself as a coach, it’s not my ambition,” he said. “But who knows if I’ll change my mind!” Born in a working class area in Funchal, the capital of Madeira, an archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, Ronaldo was scouted aged 11 by Sporting Lisbon. He went on to play for Manchester United before joining Real Madrid in 2009 and has a contract which runs until 2018. The best paid footballer in the world with $76.6m in earnings last year, Ronaldo already has a ‘CR7’ fashion line, and has lent his image to many other brands.