Football icon, Cristiano Ronaldo, says his new hotel ventures form part of preparing for his life after football – although the 31-year-old sees himself playing for another decade.
Ronaldo flew straight to Lisbon after Madrid’s disappointing 1-1 La Liga draw at home to Eibar on Sunday afternoon, where later in the evening he officially opened the Pestana CR7 Lisboa hotel.
Speaking to A Bola at the launch, Ronaldo echoed recent comments in which he suggested Blancos president Florentino Perez should extend his current contract so that he can play until he is 40.
“Life is not just about football,” Ronaldo said. “Although football is my grand passion, I must start to think about the future. I don’t have many years left, about 10 more or less, so I must look to the future.”
The 82-room Lisbon hotel is the second opened under the relationship between Ronaldo and established Portuguese chain Pestana, with the first being located on the player’s home island of Madeira.
Rooms at the Pestana CR7 Lisboa start at around €200 a night and go up to €1,250 for a stay at the rooftop CR7 suite, which is equipped with a 48″ HD TV, PlayStation 4 with virtual reality glasses & games, and cardio work-out equipment.
Spanish newspaper, Marca, claims €15 million has been invested in the partnership between Pestana and Ronaldo, with two more hotels planned for Madrid and New York.
“When I was young I had the dream of having my own hotel,” the ex-Sporting Lisbon player added at the launch.
“Now I have two, and I am proud it is in Lisbon. I couldn’t not have a hotel in Lisbon, a city which is part of my history as I have played here.”
