The former Brazil, Real Madrid and Inter Milan striker Ronaldo has become the latest high profile figure to invest in esports. 
Alongside professional poker player André Akkari and Igor Trafane Federal, CEO of the Brazilian Series of Poker (BSOP), the two time Ballon d’Or winner has invested in CNB e-sports Club. The three of them now own 50% of the team which currently boasts a roster in League of Legends.
Founding brothers Cleber ‘Fuzi’ Fonseca and Carlos ‘Fury’ Junior own the remaining 50% of the organisation which was founded back in 2001. Fury commented: “The administration remains the same, with me and my brother, what changes is that we now have two world champions with us, which adds a lot to our image.”
This story went live on Brazilian site MyCNB.com, and it states that this deal has been on the discussion table since the summer of 2016. The deal was finally put to paper in the iconic city in which Ronaldo was born; Rio de Janeiro.
Brazilian esports includes teams such as INTZ based in Sao Paulo and interest is high though significant investments have been somewhat lacking to date. Naturally this investment begs the question of who the highest profile investor is in esports, and whether Shaquille O’Neal or Ronaldo is the bigger sporting star?
Esports Insider says: We’re going with our (English) gut and stating that Ronaldo is a bigger name than Shaq. With such a prominent backer, this should spell great things for CNB and Brazilian esports more widely.
