- Portuguese football icon Cristiano Ronaldo launched his official YouTube channel, “UR Cristiano,” attracting over six million subscribers on its first day.
- “The wait is over. My @YouTube channel is finally here! SIUUUbscribe and join me on this new journey,” Ronaldo posted on his social media accounts.
OUR TAKE
As a lifelong fan, I’m thrilled to see Ronaldo embracing YouTube. It’s fantastic to have another way to connect with him and get insights into his life. This move feels like a natural extension of his digital presence, and I can’t wait to see what he shares.
–Vicky Wu, BTW reporter
What happened
Portuguese football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo launched his official YouTube channel, titled “UR Cristiano,” on Wednesday. Within just a few hours, the channel attracted an impressive 1.69 million subscribers. By the end of the day, the subscriber count had soared to over six million. The channel went live with 12 videos, which quickly garnered between 400,000 and 2.5 million views each.
Ronaldo, who plays for Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr, announced the launch on his social media accounts. He invited his massive following – including 112.5 million on Twitter (previously known as the X platform), 170 million on Facebook, and 636 million on Instagram – to subscribe. “The wait is over. My @YouTube channel is finally here! SIUUUbscribe and join me on this new journey,” Ronaldo posted. With more than 900 million followers across these platforms, Ronaldo’s move into YouTube is expected to have a significant impact.
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Why it’s important
Cristiano Ronaldo’s entry into YouTube marks a notable expansion into a platform that has not yet been fully embraced by professional footballers. While YouTube has become a popular medium for NFL and NBA athletes, Ronaldo’s venture could pave the way for other football stars to explore the platform’s potential for connecting with fans and building personal brands.
This launch also highlights Ronaldo’s continued influence in the digital age, even as he approaches his 40th birthday in early 2025. The 39-year-old, who is contracted with Al Nassr until the end of the 2024/25 season, has shown no signs of slowing down, both on and off the pitch. His success in Saudi Arabia, where he scored 50 goals in 51 games last season, contrasts with his performance at Euro 2024, where he faced challenges at a higher level for the Portuguese national team.
As Ronaldo prepares for his team’s Saudi Pro League opener against Al-Raed on Thursday, his new YouTube channel offers another avenue for fans to follow his journey, both professionally and personally.
