Messi’s Collaboration with Bitget
In late October, Messi formed a partnership with one of the top cryptocurrency exchanges, Bitget, launching a campaign titled “The Perfect 10?” which received positive feedback. This initiative came just before the eagerly awaited World Cup in Qatar. It was preceded by the “Make it Count” film, encouraging crypto traders to take the first step toward their goals by developing strategies, much like Messi does on the field.
The campaign aimed to restore confidence in the crypto industry by engaging users in World Cup excitement through giveaways and exclusive rewards. These included Messi’s jersey and 1 million Bitget Tokens (BGB). The partnership also promoted Bitget’s KCGI biannual tournament, featuring football and World Cup themes. The prize pool includes 100 BTC and popular fan tokens, further linking the worlds of football and crypto.
Concerns Regarding Unregulated Platforms
Bitget has popularized Web 3.0 by attracting users, with high-profile athletes like Messi leading the way. However, the platform’s lack of regulation raises concerns. Unlicensed exchanges pose risks to consumers, lacking sufficient protections for users and exposing funds to potential threats. Despite the high-profile partnerships, such as the one with Juventus and now Messi, caution is advised when engaging with unregulated platforms. There are concerns about how athletes and the sports world are promoting crypto adoption without fully understanding the risks involved.
Ronaldo’s Partnership with Binance for NFTs
In November 2022, Binance announced a multi-year collaboration with Cristiano Ronaldo to launch his first NFT collection. The crypto exchange, along with one of football’s greatest players, revealed an exclusive NFT collection on November 18th. This campaign was designed to drive crypto adoption and introduce Web 3.0 through NFTs.
Binance Co-founder He Yi emphasized the role of the metaverse and blockchain in shaping the future of the internet. The partnership aims to raise awareness of the technology and highlight Binance’s contributions to Web 3 infrastructure within the sports industry.
The Cristiano Ronaldo NFT collection features seven animated statues, each with four rarity levels, ranging from ‘Super Super Rare’ (SSR) to standard. Every statue represents a significant moment in Ronaldo’s career and childhood in Portugal. Each rarity level includes various reward items related to Ronaldo. Ronaldo himself described it as a unique way to connect with fans and build a fan-centric economy, allowing fans to own special pieces of both his and football’s history.
The Future of Crypto and Athlete Partnerships
Crypto companies can reach a broad audience by collaborating with respected sports teams and athletes, as these sports figures seek to connect with younger audiences that are interested in cryptocurrency.
When users see a popular athlete endorsing a crypto product or service, they are more likely to engage with the brand, which ultimately boosts overall crypto awareness and adoption. There is also a boost in brand loyalty from users who already identify with the brand.
It’s essential to ensure that athletes fully understand the products they are endorsing. An authentic endorsement is more meaningful when athletes are well-informed about the crypto firm or product they support, rather than blindly endorsing potentially controversial projects. Sports have an immense influence, and a regulated endorsement approach is necessary to ensure the audience is not misled into risky crypto ventures.
2023 Update: Ronaldo’s Journey in Saudi Arabia
Following the World Cup, no one could have predicted Cristiano Ronaldo’s next move. While many expected him to return to Sporting Lisbon, the opportunity to promote football in Saudi Arabia and support their 2030 World Cup bid proved too tempting. This decision, no doubt supported by a lucrative contract with the state-backed Al-Nassr FC, allows Ronaldo to cement his legacy in the sport beyond the pitch. His partnership with Saudi Arabia opens doors for him to transcend the sport on a global scale, becoming a key figure in a region where the Kingdom holds significant power.
If Messi were to join rivals Al-Hilal, as rumored, it would mark a major win for the Saudi league. The rivalry, which has softened over the years, would now play out on a new stage. While Messi may have overshadowed Ronaldo with his victory at the World Cup, when it comes to the crypto world, there’s no doubt who’s leading the pack. Ronaldo’s partnership with Binance and his NFT collection continue to grow, while Bitget remains on the fringes of the industry… pun intended.
