Ronaldo key to €227m Haaland deal

Stuart Telford

• 4 Apr 2023 15:43 CDT
• 3 min read

Brazil legend Ronaldo was crucial to Erling Haaland signing a bumper new sponsorship deal with Nike, according to reports.

Haaland had been sponsored by Nike from the age of 14 until January of this year, when his deal expired, and has since been seen sporting Adidas and Puma boots whilst turning out for Manchester City and Norway.

Both Adidas and Puma were in the mix to sign Haaland, but Nike won out with a contract which will pay out €227 million over its plus 10-year duration.

READ: Haaland turns down €25m offer to sign major new contract

While father and agent Alfie - the former Man City midfielder - advised Haaland about the deal, which will cover the likely peak of his career, Brazil legend Ronaldo had a part to play.

Haaland 'inspired by Brazilian Ronaldo'

"Part of the discussions centred on Haaland becoming the new face of No.9s, having been inspired by the Brazilian Ronaldo, who was sponsored by Nike throughout his career before retiring in 2011," report the Athletic.

"Ronaldo's Mercurial R9 boot from 1998 is known as one of the most iconic and identifiable boots of all time."

"His record-breaking scoring has put a stamp on the future of the game, and makes him the heir to No.9 - the next-generation striker," read a Nike press release.

READ: Erling Haaland at Man City: goals, assists, results & fixtures in 2022/23

Haaland has already broken a number of records of his own, and is up to 42 goals from 37 games in all competitions for City this season, making a mockery of the €60m they paid Borussia Dortmund for his services last July.

Haaland reportedly had a release clause worth €220m which activated in the summer of 2024 - precluding Premier League clubs - which was taken as an invitation for Real Madrid to bid for him at that point.

Catalunya Radio claim that that has since been revised down to €200m, active from 2025, with any club able to pay that amount at that point, though.