How Cristiano Ronaldo could lose £1billion sponsorship empire if he is dropped by firms over rape allegation… as EA reveals it’s ‘closely monitoring’ the claims
CRISTIANO Ronaldo is the footballer with the midas touch and his sporting prowess, star appeal and model looks have already netted him a £350m fortune.
Now one of the star's biggest backers says it is "closely monitoring" claims he raped a former model in a Las Vegas hotel in 2009.
They are unproven claims the star vehemently denies but they have cast a huge shadow over the on and off-pitch career of the world's most marketable footballer.
Nike was the first of the star's major commercial partners to intervene since the bombshell allegations emerged on Saturday.
The sportswear giant said it is "deeply concerned by the disturbing allegations and will continue to closely monitor the situation".
EA Sports use Ronaldo as the face of their huge Fifa gaming franchise - with this year’s latest edition featuring the Juve ace on the cover.
Big name sponsors clearly recognise the value Ronaldo brings to the table which is why Nike signed him up for a lifetime deal at the end of 2016 reportedly worth $1billion (£760m).
The sporting giant has refused to comment on their longstanding relationship with the global star.
But with police in America launching a criminal investigation into the former Real Madrid striker, the gaming giant says it is keeping close tabs on the claims.
An EA spokesperson told The Sun Online: “We have seen the concerning report that details allegations against Cristiano Ronaldo.
The global star's social media posts are credited with making his sponsors more than £700m in 2017 after he posted 580 times over 12 months with a sponsor mention or logo.
The sporting superstar also has his own brand ‘CR7’ - valued at £70m - which now includes growing lines of clothing, fragrance, footwear products and even hotels.
One of Ronaldo’s most unusual partnerships is with Egyptian Steel, a company trying to gain market share in Egypt - a clear sign of his growing global fame.
He has been named world player of the year five times and transferred to Juventus from Real Madrid this summer for £99million.
Ronaldo’s annual salary at Juventus is reported to be £28m, which equates to approximately £530,000 per week.
His record-breaking antics across the European leagues have reinforced claims he is one of the most famous men on the planet and one of the best footballers of all time.
However, with fame come the pitfalls and if convicted of the alleged rape he wouldn't be the first sporting superstar to fall from grace - and potentially lose millions.
Tour de France legend Lance Armstrong was not only dropped by Nike but by almost all his other sponsors following the doping scandal which rocked cycling. He lost a reported £150m.
Boxer Mike Tyson also lost a fortune when Pepsi ditched the heavyweight champ after allegations arose he abused his former wife Robin Givens in 1988.
Soon after Tiger Woods smashed up his wife's car with a golf club in 2009 sponsors including Gillette and Tag Heuer parted company with the ace although Nike stayed loyal.
And when Kobe Bryant was accused of sexual assault in 2003 - his accuser later refused to testify in court and the case was dropped - his sponsors were split.
While McDonald's and Nutella dropped him, other big names - including Nike and Sprite - stuck with the basketball ace.
How the star makes and spends his fortune
Ronaldo signed a staggering £760m lifetime deal with sporting giant Nike at the end of 2016.
Football earnings for 2017 were £70m (which includes £25m in off the pitch licensing deals).
The sporting superstar has his own brand ‘CR7’ valued by marketing experts at £70m.
His social media posts are credited with making his sponsors more than £700m in 2017.
The striker has an undisclosed deal with EA Sports - said to be worth millions.
The star has a Tag Heuer long-term sponsorship deal £800,000 a year.
A mega-contract with American Tourister worth a reported £300,000 a year.
And a long-running multi-million pound contract with Herbalife until 2021.
Ronaldo earns a lot and spends a lot as his serious car collection proves.
He owns a Maserati and a Lamborghini Aventador, which is valued at around £250,000.
Not to mention his £2.5m million Bugatti, Aston Martin, Rolls-Royce and Bentley.
He also owns numerous houses, including a £4m villa in Madrid.
In 2015, he paid £15m for an apartment in Trump Tower in New York City.
And Ronaldo has claimed it is his incredible fame which has made him a target of the rape claims which have made headline around the world.
The Juventus star yesterday hit back at the slurs saying his conscious was clear over the alleged attack on Kathryn Mayorga.
Ronaldo wrote on Twitter: "I firmly deny the accusations being issued against me. Rape is an abominable crime that goes against everything that I am and believe in.
He added: "My clear conscious will thereby allow me to await with tranquillity the results of any and all investigations.”
Ms Mayorga claims the Portuguese superstar attacked her in the penthouse suite of the Palms Casino Resort - before allegedly apologising and saying he is "usually a gentleman".
She went public on Saturday to give a scathing interview in Der Spiegel — in which she branded him "a frickin’ loser and a creep.”
His lawyers have called the reporting in the German news mag "blatantly illegal" and have said they will be seeking substantial damages.
On Monday it emerged that Las Vegas police have re-opened the investigation into the alleged sexual assault.