CR7 & Njr11 - Nike's Dream Marketing Duo

CR7 & Njr11 - Nike's Dream Marketing Duo

Cristiano Ronaldo Neymar; two marketing machines on top of the world. For each of their differences, there's one thing that brings these two superstars together - the logo on their boots. Nike have the planets two most valuable athletes on side and for the first time this season they're in the same league.

Neymar - who was officially ranked the no.1 most marketable athlete in the world earlier this year - will begin his first season in European football alongside Nike's 21st century superstar Cristiano Ronaldo. The La Liga duo, though on rival sides, will both be in pole position for team Nike as we build up to Brazil 2014 - the greatest show on the planet.





Neymar is the latest footballer in Nike's line of generational talents. Joining El Phenomenon, Ronaldinho and Cristiano Ronaldo, Nike are betting on Neymar becoming one of the company's all-time great athletes. His move to Barcelona has already launched him to a new level of fame and with a World Cup in his home country on the horizon, the 21-year-old is a marketing dream for Nike. In 2011 Neymar landed an 11-year contract with Nike - a long-term deal which covers the next three World Cup tournaments.



For all of Neymar's future prospects, it's Cristiano Ronaldo who remains top of Nike's food chain. The Mercurial mega-star is one the most valuable athletes in the company's history. In 2010 Ronaldo extended his endorsement contract with Nike until 2014 in a deal which earns him a reported €6 million per year. Nike will no doubt negotiate a new deal for Ronaldo way beyond 2014 - a deal which some are suggesting could see him return to Manchester United.


No.1 - Can Neymar become Nike's most marketable athlete?


Despite the complications that come with CR7 wearing the three-stripes of Real Madrid, Nike will be looking to utilise Ronaldo and Neymar's new found ClÁsico rivalry throughout the season. The duo will lock horns in football's biggest rivalry - an opportunity that Nike are sure to capitalise on. A Ronaldo vs Neymar El ClÁsico would provide the perfect stage for a new Nike boot launch.

Nike are expected to release a new CR7 signature line this year for Cristiano Ronaldo.


In line with penning his five-year deal with FC Barcelona, Neymar became the face to one of Nike's biggest ever boot launches - the Nike HyperVenom. Quite cleverly, Nike decided to separate their two biggest personalities. Unlike Ronaldo, Neymar wasn't an invaluable asset to the Mercurial line. With the HyperVenom, he's the hero for a new breed of attack. New era, new boots.

So what does the season ahead look like for Nike's two most marketable athletes? For Cristiano Ronaldo, there's a new CR7 collection in the pipe-line - something that's become standard practise for Nike every October/November. This season we're expecting another design that really is out of this world.


Above: Nike CR7 Safari Nike Mercurial Vapor IX CR. Below: Nike HyperVenom


How long before we see Neymar's own line of HyperVenom boots?


For Barca's new superstar, the standard HyperVenom will accompany the story of Neymar's debut La Liga season. We're not predicting any Neymar-exclusive lines in the near future, but there's no knowing what Nike have up their sleeves. The Brazilian will undoubtedly be Nike's face of the 2014 World Cup, but like recent international competitions will most likely fall into a tournament boot pack. For now Neymar is tasked with bringing on-pitch success to the HyperVenom.





The landscape at Nike and Barcelona is changing. After years of 'brand-Messi' dominating the Camp Nou, Barca finally have a Nike superstar to pin their marketing plans on while Nike seem to have dodged the bullet of an internal rivalry between Neymar and Ronaldo by positioning the players in different silos.

So is there a changing of the guard within both camps? Will Neymar over-shadow Messi at Barcelona and out-rank Cristiano Ronaldo within Nike? Its too early for that yet, but should Neymar return to Barcelona in 2014/15 as a World Cup winner, things could really get interesting.



Let us know what you think. Do Nike have the two most powerful and marketable players in the world? Join the conversation online, on Twitter and on Facebook.