-
News
- 3 minutes ago
Ronaldo won't go the USA for MLS...but he will for Hollywood career
Martin Macdonald
- Updated: 3 Feb 2026 08:03 CST
- 6 min read
Nieuws
Cristiano Ronaldo has once again been tipped to make it big in the United States should he leave Al-Nassr.
But, one renowned football finance expert believes that it wouldn't make sense for CR7 to ply his trade alongside longtime rival Lionel Messi in Major League Soccer, but rather move into the acting world due to his recognition.
Dr Rob Wilson, Professor of Applied Sport Finance at UCFB, told Action Network:
"I just think he’s so embedded in Saudi Arabia now and he would have to be really careful. If he tried to engineer that sort of move and it failed, he would lose his brand recognition in the Middle East because they’d see him as only being out for the money, trying to do it elsewhere.
"If he wanted a short-term payday then yes a move to MLS could give him a boost but for his long-term brand growth he is likely to stay in Saudi Arabia."
Ronaldo is one of the most famous and successful footballers of all time with five Ballon d'Or trophies to his name. In 2025, he made more money than any any other athlete in the world with earnings of $260 million.
Wilson believes the Portuguese superstar has what it takes to crack Hollywood, too.
"It would be different if Ronaldo could get into Hollywood," he continued.
"He’s certainly pretty enough and iconic global movie and entertainment stars earn plenty more than sports stars so that would be an interesting move."
Ronaldo already apparently has a role in the new Fast and Furious movie, 'Fast Forever', as he met star Vin Diesel recently, who posted on Instagram:
"Everyone asked, would he be in the Fast mythology… I gotta tell you he is a real one. We wrote a role for him @cristiano."
Ronaldo in Hollywood
Ronaldo has already stepped into the movie world as he has established his own production studio alongside 'Kick-Ass' and 'Layer Cake' director and producer Matthew Vaughn.
The studio, UR•MARV, was launched in April of 2025 and is said to be a collaboration between film and sport.
... and action! 🎬 I'm excited to announce UR•MARV, my new film studio with Matthew Vaughn, and can't wait to tell you about our first movie. Coming soon! 👀 pic.twitter.com/gr8Lffhom3
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) April 11, 2025
A statement on Ronaldo’s X page read: “Cristiano Ronaldo loves movies; Matthew Vaughn loves sport - and they both love a good story.
“Both have been disruptive champions at their game and will now combine the world of sport and storytelling through the launch of UR•MARV, an independent joint venture film studio embracing innovative technology, with a nod to tradition.
“Through UR•MARV, Ronaldo and Vaughn have financed and produced two action films together and are about to start a third in the same series. They look forward to announcing the first release soon.”
Ronaldo said on the venture: “This is an exciting chapter for me, as I look ahead to new ventures in business.”
Vaughn added: “Cristiano has created stories on the pitch that I could never have written, and I look forward to creating inspiring movies with him - he’s a real-life superhero.”
The FootballTransfers app
Check out FootballTransfers' new app for all of football's big storylines, transfer rumours and exclusive news in one convenient place directly on your mobile device.
The FootballTransfers app is available in the Apple App Store. Download here:
Read more about:
MLS
Cristiano Ronaldo
