By Chris Wright
Cristiano Ronaldo has announced that his face is no longer his own after selling his image rights to Singapore-based investment billionaire Peter Lim, the fellow who just so happens to be Valencia’s majority shareholder.
Lim also holds a 50% stake in Salford City FC, the non-league side run by Manchester United alumni Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and both Gary and Phil Neville – which may or may not (or definitely may) explain the latter’s recent links to the assistant manager position at Valencia.
Anyway, Ronaldo has flogged off his image rights to Lim’s Mint Media agency in what MARCA are calling a “strategic move” to help build the presence of the Real Madrid superstar’s personal brand in Asia.
“I am very excited to announce my latest deal with Mint Media, owned by my good friend, businessman Peter Lim from Singapore, to acquire my image rights”, Ronaldo waffled.
“(I am confident that the deal will) take the Cristiano Ronaldo brand to the next level, especially in Asia”.
Yuck.
It should also be noted that Jorge Mendes, Ronaldo’s omnipresent agent, is both a close friend of and business advisor to Lim.
Yuck and double yuck.
Anyway, given Ronaldo’s maiden foray into building his brand in Asia resulted in these scenes…
..we imagine he couldn’t get Lim on board quick enough!