Cristiano Ronaldo continues to expand his empire beyond football. The Portuguese star has bought 100% of the shares of the Lisbon Racket Centre, a prestigious complex specialising in paddle and racket sports. With this acquisition, the captain of the Portuguese national team seeks to consolidate his influence in one of the fastest growing sports in the last decade.
According to Ricardo Oliveira, president of the Portuguese Padel Federation (FPP) – in statements to the EFE news agency – Ronaldo’s entry into padel “is going to change the paradigm of the sport not only in Portugal, but all over the world”. More than 300,000 people play padel in Portugal, a figure that, according to the FPP, could reach 500,000 thanks to the so-called ‘Ronaldo effect’.
PADEL: A SPORT IN GLOBAL EXPANSION
Ronaldo’s interest in padel is not new. Sources close to him claim that the footballer plays padel on a daily basis, while continuing to lead Saudi club Al-Nassr and train at the highest level. His recent investment in the Lisbon Racket Centre is part of a wider strategy to support the growth of the emerging sport, which already has more than 30 million players worldwide, according to the International Padel Federation.
Ronaldo’s impact on the sport is undeniable. With more than 1 billion followers on social networks, his every move has a global reach. Oliveira, with a chuckle, even suggested that in the future tennis courts could be eliminated to make way for padel due to the rise in popularity.
A LONG-TERM STRATEGIC BET
The acquisition of the Lisbon Racket Centre comes on top of Ronaldo’s other padel projects, such as his involvement in the Oeiras Padel City, a complex that will open in 2025. This place will host tournaments of the Premier Padel circuit, the main professional circuit of the sport. According to Oliveira, the aim is for Cristiano to become the godfather of these events in Portugal.
Padel is just one of the areas in which CR7 has diversified his business. From his investment firm CR7 SA, Ronaldo has ventured into sectors such as hospitality and hair health, building a financial empire that prepares him for the future beyond football.
FROM THE FOOTBALL PITCH TO THE BUSINESS WORLD
Cristiano has proven to be a visionary in the business world. With his partner Dionísio Pestana, he leads the Pestana-CR7 chain, which manages six luxury hotels in Europe and the United States. In 2023, this partnership generated almost 40 million euros in revenue, consolidating its position as a benchmark in the tourism sector.
Ronaldo has also ventured into the hair transplant market with Insparya Hair Company, a clinic he co-founded in 2021 with Paulo Ramos. This market, valued at billions of euros, represents another strategic pillar of his business diversification.
