Milan (AFP)
The fivefold Ballon d'Or Cristiano Ronaldo, star of Juventus and true marketing phenomenon, will launch his first line of glasses with the group Italia Independent, founded by Lapo Elkann, one of the heirs of the Agnelli dynasty.
According to Forbes, Cristiano Ronaldo garnered $ 109 million in revenue last year (€ 99 million), including $ 44 million through sponsorship. In particular, it has been under contract since 2004 with the American equipment supplier Nike.
"I have always been passionate about glasses and I always wanted to have my own line. I am really excited to collaborate with Italia Independent on this project," said the Portuguese star in a statement released Wednesday by Italia Independent.
The Portuguese player said to be "very attentive to details" and to have "always worked hard to achieve perfection in everything (he) does (knows)".
Quintuple Ballon d'Or and five-time Champions League winner, European champion with Portugal in 2016, Ronaldo joined Juventus Turin in 2018 after winning everything with Manchester United and Real Madrid.
Lapo Elkann welcomed this exclusive five-year contract with the Portuguese star.
"Today, for me and for all of Italia Independent, is a memorable day: having obtained the license + eyewear + CR7 is of extraordinary importance in our growth journey," he said, stressing that "the creativity, speed of execution and the look towards the future "were" the recipe "which allowed his group to attract big names in the world.
Italia Independent recorded revenue of 19.3 million euros in 2018, down 12.2% year-on-year due to the disposal of non-strategic and non-performing assets. In full reorganization, its turnover fell again by 64.6% in the first half of 2019, to 4.1 million euros.
Grandson of legendary Gianni Agnelli, Lapo Elkann, 42, is one of the heirs of the Agnelli family, founder of the Italian automobile group Fiat (FCA) and majority shareholder of Juventus via its holding company Exor.
Known for his escapades, he created in 2007 his own brand, Italia Independent, which markets luxury clothing and accessories.
He was the victim shortly before Christmas of a serious car accident in Israel where he spent ten days in a coma then was hospitalized in Switzerland for his convalescence.
© 2020 AFP