Ronaldo’s brace during his recent triumph in June (his fourth trophy in top European club competition and 21st club title overall) is evidence of his unyielding excellence. Throughout his career, Ronaldo’s tallied 604 goals in all competitions, including a record 75 for Portugal. This legacy, as well as Ronaldo’s unmatched standard of training, serve to inspire participation in the sport from grass roots to professional levels.
Nike’s grassroots efforts to engage youth in football in China began in 1997 with the formation of a series of annual tournaments. The brand’s commitment to Chinese youth football really solidified in 2007 when it joined forces with China’s Ministry of Education to create the country’s first senior high football league. Three years later, Nike launched The Chance, a football competition for youth talent development.
Ronaldo’s visit to Shanghai and Beijing encompasses all facets of Chinese football culture — from pure fandom to speed training — and in addition to bringing his influence direct to the nation’s players, offers a lens into the dynamism of the game across the country.