Cristiano Ronaldo stars in new Puma commercial

The partnership between Nike and Portugal has been one of the most long-lasting in the world of international soccer but the 27-year relationship has officially ended.

From 2025 onwards the Portuguese national team will be outfitted by Puma after a huge deal was signed with the sportswear brand. Portugal join the likes of Manchester City, AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund in Puma’s stable of teams.

Puma CEO Arne Freundt explained: “Associating with a top national team was one of our priorities in soccer and I am very excited to have a team as popular as Portugal in the PUMA Family.”

Cristiano Ronaldo was among the Portuguese stars to appear in the first pictures of Puma’s inaugural offering. The new Portugal kit is nothing too ground-breaking, with the traditional dark red jersey, green shorts and red socks. However for generations who have grown up watching the Nike swoosh emblazon the famous shirts of the Seleção, the switch to Puma will take some getting used to.

Why is Cristiano Ronaldo appearing in a Puma commercial?

Not just one 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. In announcing the contract, Ronaldo said: “I have an excellent relationship with this brand, I have great friends here and we work as a family. This is my brand.”

CR7 is one of Nike’s biggest commercial assets, so why is he appearing in a Puma advertisement?

Despite his long-standing link with Nike, Ronaldo will be expected to take part in commercial activities related to the teams that he represents. He appeared in countless Adidas advertising campaigns during his time with Real Madrid and Juventus, and continues to do so with Al Nassr.

One notable exception is Dutch icon and Puma devotee Johan Cruyff, who wanted to avoid wearing the three stripes of Adidas on the Netherlands' national team kit. Incredibly, the Dutch soccer authorities bowed to his demand and allowed Cruyff to play in a bespoke jersey with only two of the three white stripes on the shoulder.

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