Summary

Cristiano Ronaldo's return to Manchester United and his immense influence, both on and off the pitch, is examined in light of the power dynamics between celebrities and society.

Abstract

The article discusses the significant impact of Cristiano Ronaldo's recent transfer to Manchester United, where he is set to earn £500k a week at the age of 36. Ronaldo's influence extends beyond the football pitch, as evidenced by the record-breaking sale of his shirts and his ability to affect the stock market with a simple gesture. The piece reflects on the historical trend of sports stars gaining vast influence and wealth, only to face intense pressure and scrutiny, often leading to personal struggles. It draws parallels with other sports figures like Diego Maradonna, Paul Gascoigne, and George Best, who despite their success, battled personal demons under the weight of public expectation. The article also touches on the broader societal tendency to idolize celebrities, questioning whether they should be held to different standards and the implications of their actions, referencing Kylie Jenner and Caitlyn Jenner as examples. The author concludes by pondering whether Ronaldo will use his celebrity status for positive change or succumb to the pressures that have affected many before him.

Opinions

The author suggests that Ronaldo's financial earnings and influence are disproportionately high, raising questions about the fairness of such compensation for a single sports star.
There is a critical view of society's role in elevating celebrities to a status where they are almost above the law, as seen with the Jenner family's experiences.
The article implies that the adulation and wealth bestowed upon sports stars come with an "unholy" amount of pressure, which can lead to destructive behaviors as a coping mechanism.
The piece expresses concern about the power of celebrity status and its potential misuse, emphasizing the responsibility that comes with such influence.
The author seems to admire Ronaldo's achievements while remaining skeptical about the sustainability of his status and the societal impact of his actions.
There is an underlying hope that Ronaldo will leverage his influence positively and remain grounded despite the immense pressures of fame.

Chin up, Coke.

The Ronaldo Effect

Should one man have all that power?

Cristiano Ronaldo has just moved back to Manchester United for £25 Million. He is set to earn a reported £500k a week. Too much money for a 36-year-old? The club has already sold a record £187 million worth of the global sensations shirts.

There is no doubting the Portuguese star produces colossal numbers, on and off the pitch.

Ronaldo has insane power and influence

He reportedly cost Coca-Cola $4 billion by shunning them at Euro 2020. Their share price plummeted as an unimpressed Ronaldo rejected the unhealthy beverage, shook his head, and muttered the word “Agua”.
He gets paid $1.6 Million per Instagram post. More than any other celebrity.
His CR7 personal brand is valued at a whopping 100 Million Euros. His net worth is apparently $500 Million.

He is a brilliant footballer, no doubt. But should one sports star be earning this amount of money?

This is nothing new however, we have seen this story play out many times before.

The rise and fall of the celebrity sport star

Historically, sports stars have received international acclaim and vast influence.

The story typically starts with a talented individual that has come from humble beginnings, worked hard, and got to the pinnacle of their sport. While this narrative begins well, it does not always end well.

We just need to look at the tales of Diego Maradonna, Paul Gascoigne, and George Best as examples in the same sport. All celebrated as god-like figures by many fans around the world. But they have all faced their demons. An unholy amount of pressure was put on their shoulders. So much expectation. A host of awards, accolades, and wealth. But no freedom. Judged and ridiculed for any mistake.

I recently watched a documentary on Diego Maradonna after his death in 2020. He is considered one of the greatest footballers to ever live, carrying Argentina to World Cup glory and Napoli to European success. Pretty much single-handedly. Leading average teams to the greatest honors, despite being heavy underdogs in tournaments. He was worshipped for his endeavors on the pitch.

But this meant he couldn't even leave his house without getting mobbed by thousands of people. You could tell he didn’t like this daily attention at all. To combat this, he turned to heavy drinking, cocaine, and debauchery. And who can really blame him? If I had that much daily pressure and lack of freedom, I would do the same.

Why do we lose ourselves for celebrities?

Of course, this acclaim isn’t limited to sports stars. We just have to use the power and influence of Kylie Jenner as an example. The youngest ‘self-made’ billionaire has a monumental amount of clout. Coming from a celebrity family & setting up a cosmetic company has allowed her to create a huge following. This audience hangs on to her every word. She will probably be running for president soon. And will then win it. Good luck to her. But don’t get me started on the power of celebrity in recent elections!

Our society is guilty of putting celebrities on a pedestal. But should they be above the law? You just have to look at all the scandals from the biggest celebrities in the world. Just sticking with the same family, Caitlyn Jenner killed someone in their car and didn't even face charges. How does that work?

Will Ronaldo use his celebrity status for good, or inevitably let us down?

We have given an uneven amount of power to our famous faces. And they know it. With great power comes great responsibility. It begs the question, will Ronaldo be able to escape this trap and use his celebrity superpower for good? Or will he succumb to the pressure and ‘break bad’ like many others before him? Only time will tell.

What is clear now is he is a global phenomenon and will remain in the public eye for the rest of his life. And his power and influence will continue to blossom. Let’s just hope he can remain humble (ish) and deal with the unholy amount of pressure put upon his toned shoulders.

Stay grounded Cristiano. Use your powers wisely. And stick to your agua buddy!

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