Two of the four properties will open in Ronaldo’s native Portugal, while the other two are slated to open in Madrid and NY.
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From footwear to shirts, and underwear, now the triple Ballon d’Or victor who goes by the moniker “CR7” has unveiled his plans to invest over 37 million euros (RM173mil) in hotels.
“Many footballers finish their careers without knowing what they want to do”.
“I’m certain that this investment is surely one of the safest deals that I can capitalise on for my future”, explains Cristiano Ronaldo. I’m extremely happy because this is the biggest project in my life and it’s completely different to what I do. “What I want is that my name will always be the best in whatever domain I work”.
One hotel is planned for Funchal on the island of Madeira, one in Lisbon and another in Madrid in Spain.
He added: “I will have the opportunity to be present as all the projects unroll but, of course, I don’t have much time available at the present”.
He went on to play for Manchester United before joining Real Madrid in 2009 and has a contract which runs until 2018.
It’s his biggest ever investment and the hotels will open next year.
Ronaldo is unlikely to be involved in the day-to-day running of the hotels, but said he would like to be involved as much as time allows him. “My world is playing soccer but we all know that life won’t always be like this”.
“It was impossible to throw myself alone into a project of this scale, to each his own area of competence”.
“This joint venture has enormous potential, says Dionísio Pestana, “it also echoes the constant innovation spirit that embodies The Pestana Hotel Group”.
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Dionísio Pestana, Owner and Chairman of Pestana Hotel Group, and Cristiano Ronaldo – who both hail from Madeira, acknowledge that this collaboration emerges from a great mutual empathy and trust.
