29 August 2023 , 13:24
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Cristiano Ronaldo has joined Michael Jordan as one of the few athletes in the world to have their brand manufacturing a top-flight football team's shirt.
Ronaldo, 38, may not be playing for a European team this season after signing for Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr last year - but he will since have a presence on the continent's football scene. That is because his boyhood club, Sporting CP, are celebrating the 20th anniversary of his breakthrough into their first team with a special tribute.
As the Lisbon-based club announced on 6 August, the date of his debut, they will honour him with this season's third kit. The black shirt with gold sleeves and white detailing on the cuffs also features his 'CR7' brand logo where the Nike swoosh would otherwise be.
Ronaldo has a lifetime contract with the American manufacturer. As does Jordan, and his eponymous brand is one of few to get similar exposure.
In 2018, Jordan Brand signed an exclusive three-year partnership with Paris Saint-Germain. Over the years since, the Jumpman logo has been adorning several pieces of club merchandise, including on several of their alternate kits.
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Last season's fourth shirt also shares a similar colourway to Sporting's new number. The comparisons can now start as it got its first outing on Sunday in Sporting's third league game.
Despite being at home, they donned their third shirt for the match against Famalicao. The 19-time Portuguese champions also got off to a winning start while wearing it to continue their 100% start to the season.
Paulinho celebrates scoring Sporting's first goal in their CR7 kitA lone Paulinho goal early into the second half was enough to secure all three points. The kit will also feature in their domestic cup competitions and the Europa League, as they are in this year's group stages.
Debuting on the pitch will only continue the hype surrounding this rather unique shirt. That started with the striking video that the club posted to announce it in the first place.
The social media post's caption reads: "Travel back in time with us. 6th of August 2003 [to] 6th of August 2023. [20] years of Estádio Jose Alvalade and [5] Ballon d'Or later, the best in the world are united in one piece."
The video also features on-screen captions. "Stop," they begin. "Rewind yourself back to 2003. It's August 6, 2003. You're at the newborn Estádio Jose Alvalade. The referee is about to kick off the match of Sporting CP vs Manchester United.
"Now stop yourself again. And fast forward yourself 20 years and 5 Ballon d'Or afterwards to now. It's August 6, 2023," it continues, before directing the viewer to their website where they can buy the shirt.
And people are doing just that. It sold out on the first day it went live to buy on Nike's website. Tens of thousands of kits have already sold inside the first month alone.