For the first time since 1996, the Portuguese national team has split from Nike, CR7's favorite brand.
The partnership between Nike and Portugal is one of the most long-lasting in the world of international football, but the 27-year relationship has officially ended.
From 2025, the Portuguese national team will be equipped by Puma, after a major deal was signed with the sportswear brand. Portugal joins Manchester City, AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund in Puma's squad.
Puma CEO Arne Freundt explained: “Association with a top national team was one of our priorities in football and I am very excited to have a team as popular as Portugal in the PUMA family.”
Cristiano Ronaldo was one of the Portuguese stars to appear in the first photos of Puma's inaugural offering. The new Portuguese kit is nothing special, with the traditional dark red jersey, green shorts and red socks. But for generations who grew up looking at the Nike swoosh that adorns the Seleção's famous shirts, the switch to Puma will take some getting used to.
Why does Cristiano Ronaldo appear in a Puma commercial?
Less than a month away from his 40th birthday, Cristiano Ronaldo remains one of the most famous athletes in the world and a mainstay of the hugely talented Portuguese national team.
In 2016, he signed a lifetime deal with Nike, worth a reported $1 billion, to keep him tied to the brand. Announcing the contract, Ronaldo said: “I have an excellent relationship with this brand, I have great friends here and we work like a family. This is my brand.”
CR7 is one of Nike's biggest commercial assets, so why does he appear in a Puma ad?
Despite his long-standing association with Nike, Ronaldo is expected to participate in commercial activities related to the teams he represents. He appeared in numerous Adidas advertising campaigns during his time at Real Madrid and Juventus, and continues to do so at Al Nassr.
A notable exception is Dutch icon and Puma enthusiast Johan Cruyff, who wanted to prevent Adidas' three stripes from being worn on the Dutch national team kit. Incredibly, the Dutch football authorities granted his demand and allowed Cruyff to play in a custom-made shirt with only two of the three white stripes on the shoulder.
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