LISBON, Portugal, Oct 3- Portugal and Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo looked ahead to life after football with the latest step in his off-the-field business exploits, a new Sh7bn hotel unveiled in his home town of Lisbon in Portugal.
“Life is not just about football,” Ronaldo said at the hotel opening.
“Although football is my grand passion, I must start to think about the future. I don’t have many years left, about 10 more or less, so I must look to the future.”
‘Pestana CR7 Lisboa’ is Ronaldo’s second hotel launched in a £Sh7bn partnership with the Pestana hotel group, adding to one already built in Funchal, Madeira.
Two further openings will follow in Madrid and New York next year.
Ronaldo also has his own underwear and footwear ranges as part of his plans for life after football.
“When I was young I had the dream of having my own hotel. Now I have two, and I am proud it is in Lisbon.”
Rooms in the hotel, which boasts a range of technology including PlayStations and Apple TV units to appease a younger market, are priced from Sh24,000 per night.
Meanwhile, the Madrid forward has backed himself to play football for another 10 years and believes he can keep his career going beyond the age of 40.
Ronaldo, 31, has enjoyed one of his most successful years in 2016, winning the Champions League and European Championship.
He is a strong favourite to claim a fourth Ballon d’Or in January and has now told any doubters that he has no plans to stop any time soon.
-By Daily Mail–