With 494million followers, which is more than the population of the United States and Russia combined, Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo is the most followed person in the world on Instagram, which makes him a marketing phenomenon.
It's therefore not a coincidence that Joel Glazer was desperate to keep him at Old Trafford in the summer. The Glazer family brought Tom Brady, the biggest, most lucrative name in NFL history, to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after 20 years with the New England Patriots in 2020 and Ronaldo's return to Manchester had clear parallels, as both athletes are commercial juggernauts.
Although Ronaldo is the highest earner at United, that was never going to be a problem for the Glazers, who understood the vast commercial benefits a sensational 'fairytale' return for the five-time Ballon d'Or winner would bring to the club.
