Cristiano named Global Ambassador of the Esports World Cup 2025

17 June 2025

The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) has announced that Cristiano Ronaldo, five-time Ballon d’Or winner, has been appointed as the Global Ambassador of the Esports World Cup 2025, which marks a milestone for the competition. This nomination will help connect millions of fans to the next generation of eSports athletes.

Cristiano Ronaldo has already played a formative role in the evolution of the Esports World Cup by participating in the global announcement of the creation of the event in 2023 and attending last summer’s closing ceremony in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia). With unmatched reach and fan engagement across every major platform, the football player has helped elevate the event’s profile since its inception.

“Cristiano Ronaldo connects generations – from lifelong football fans to today’s emerging competitors”, said Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation. “His pursuit of greatness mirrors the spirit of the Esports World Cup: the biggest stage for the best players. As Global Ambassador, he bridges traditional sport and competitive gaming, helping spotlight the next generation of athletes competing the global glory. We are humbled to have the greatest of all time stand with us in this moment for eSports”.

As a Global Ambassador, the Portuguese football player born and raised in Madeira will headline the tournament’s global campaign leading up to and throughout the seven-week competition and festival. He will also star as a playable character in Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves. With more than one billion followers on social media, he will help bring the tournament to new audiences and introduce the next generation of fans to the elite players of competitive gaming. ‘CR7’ will also highlight the event’s campaign “Rise Above”.

“Sport is always evolving – and eSports is one more frontier”, said Cristiano Ronaldo. “The commitment, drive, talent and intensity I have been able to see in eSports athletes is no different from what I have experienced on the pitch. I am proud to stand alongside these competitors and be part of a global event that’s inspiring a new generation”.