Holders of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) from a collection released by Cristiano Ronaldo in collaboration with crypto exchange Binance recently had the chance to participate in an in-person training session with the soccer star.
The NFTs in question were featured in Ronaldo’s second NFT collection, launched in June 2023. In the October 2023 promotion, users who opened the box containing the NFT stood a chance to find a golden ticket, providing them with access to an in-person training session with Ronaldo.
Held in Lisbon, Portugal, the training session welcomed five lucky winners, along with the participation of Khaby Lame and Ana Marković. Ronaldo took on the role of coach, providing valuable insights to enhance the soccer skills of the participants.
Post-training, attendees had the chance to engage in a meet-and-greet with Ronaldo, providing an opportunity to ask questions and have direct conversations with the renowned athlete.
This training session was just one of the various perks mentioned for NFT buyers, which also included signed memorabilia.
Ronaldo’s partnership with Binance has led to three NFT drops since their sponsorship agreement in June 2022. The first collection, released in November 2023, featured seven animated statues depicting memorable moments from Ronaldo’s life.
The second collection, “ForeverCR7: The GOAT,” launched in June 2023 and comprised 29,000 NFTs paying tribute to Ronaldo’s remarkable goal achievements and career memories. The third drop, titled ‘ForeverZone,’ was announced in October 2023 as part of a series celebrating the footballer’s legendary career.
However, following the third collection, there was a pause in NFT releases. In November 2023, Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao resigned due to money laundering violations, resulting in a $4 billion fine imposed by the Department of Justice.
During the same month, Ronaldo faced a class-action lawsuit related to his collaboration with Binance on NFTs, raising concerns about potential involvement in the promotion of unregistered securities.
Despite Ronaldo’s silence on the matter, a digital asset lawyer suggested that the size of the case might lead to a trial rather than an out-of-court settlement.
