Cristiano Ronaldo, widely known as one of football’s greatest icons, has been named Global Ambassador for the upcoming Esports World Cup 2025. The announcement came from the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF), which hopes the move will help the tournament go beyond the usual esports scene and bring in fans from different spaces.
As part of this role, Ronaldo will take charge of promoting the Esports World Cup around the world, pushing forward its theme this year—Rise Above. With his massive online presence, which includes over 840 million followers across Instagram, X, and YouTube, his involvement is expected to bring lots of attention.
“Sport is always evolving, and esports is one more frontier. The commitment, drive, talent, and intensity I have been able to see in esports athletes is no different from what I’ve experienced on the pitch.
I’m proud to join the Esports World Cup as Global Ambassador – standing with esports athletes who rise above and inspire the next generation,” said Ronaldo.
A Bridge Between Sports and Esports
The EWCF sees Ronaldo as the ideal person to connect competitive gaming with the energy of traditional sports. His dedication and success are seen to reflect what the Esports World Cup is all about—going beyond limits and aiming higher.
“Cristiano Ronaldo has the power to connect generations,” said Ralf Reichert, CEO of EWCF. “His push for excellence fits what EWC stands for: a world stage for the very best in gaming. We’re honoured to have him with us.”
This won’t be the first time Ronaldo has worked with the Foundation either. He was part of the global reveal for the EWC 2024 back in 2023 and attended its final ceremony in Riyadh. While it’s not known if he’ll attend the 2025 edition in person, his role as ambassador still makes a strong statement.
He’s also surprisingly part of the actual gaming lineup. Ronaldo appears as a playable fighter in FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves, one of the 25 games being featured in this year’s tournament.
Scheduled to be held in Riyadh from July 7 through August 24, the 2025 edition is set to be the largest yet. Over 2,000 players and 200 teams will be taking part, with competitors coming from more than 100 countries. The prize pool this year goes over $70 million, making it the highest in the event’s history.
Ronaldo is far from the only major sports figure to step into esports. Lionel Messi joined KRU Esports as a co-owner back in 2023. Meanwhile, Ruud Gullit’s Team Gullit was acquired by Team Liquid earlier in 2025. And more athletes have started to take an interest in the space, showing how esports is becoming a serious part of the global sports conversation.
