Puma Ends Nike’s 26-Year Deal With Portugal Despite Cristiano Ronaldo’s Lifetime Contract: Reports

Cristiano Ronaldo and Nike are one of the most iconic player-sportswear brand partnerships. Not only has the veteran secured a lifetime deal with the American brand, but both his domestic and national sides are tied to the brand too. However, all that is about to change as, after reportedly losing Al Nassr to Adidas, Nike is set to be replaced by Puma, following its deal with the Portugal national team. 

Nike has been sponsoring Portugal since 1997. But even after a 26-year union and Cristiano Ronaldo’s billion-dollar contract, the renowned brand won’t be continuing with Os Navegadores. 

Puma to replace Nike as Portugal’s kit sponsor 

Puma is poised to take over from Nike as the sponsor for the Portugal national football team starting in January 2025. As per Footy Headlines, a spokesperson from Puma revealed that the German sportswear brand is set to announce two international kit deals in 2024, one of which is a ‘statement team.’ Additionally, the insider also revealed that the contracts Puma has with federations including Serbia and Israel will expire next year. However, Serbia’s president terminated their deal prematurely, despite Puma having already designed their Euro 2024 kits.

Apart from the ‘statement team’ Portugal, the second team is New Zealand, as per the same report. Notably, Portugal’s agreement with Puma is set to kickstart in January 2025, after their contract with Nike ends. Portugal will don Nike kits for the last time at Euro 2024 before making the switch to Puma. Either way, it’s a huge blow for Nike. In fact, things might go downhill for the American brand as Adidas will be reportedly replacing them as Al Nassr’s kit sponsors.

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Cristiano Ronaldo and his Al Nassr teammates to wear Adidas kits 

Several weeks ago, journalist Ali Alabdallh disclosed that Al Nassr has purportedly inked a three-year agreement with Adidas, set to commence in the 2024–2025 season. The decision to switch from Nike reportedly stemmed from Al Nassr’s dissatisfaction with the American brand’s inability to provide expanded selling outlets for merchandise to fans on a global scale.

It’s worth noting that Al Nassr had previously abandoned the in-house brand Duneus, and announced a partnership with Nike on July 2nd, seven months after Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival. However, the Riyadh-based club is once again opting to part ways, this time with the $182.09 billion brand.

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