By Kevin McCauley
WPP has created 9ine, a sports marketing communications unit, with Ronaldo, one of soccer’s greatest players.
The 33-year-old Brazilian striker, who hung up his cleats in February, led his country to World Cup victories in 1994 and '02. His 15 goals in World Cup finals play is the record.
Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima (Ronaldo Fenomeno) also played for high-profile European clubs such as Barcelona, Real Madrid, AC Milan and Inter Milan.
Based in Sao Paulo, 9ine is to exploit opportunities worldwide and in the burgeoning Brazilian sports scene surrounding the 2014 FIFA World Cup, which is slated for a dozen Brazilian venues, and 2016 Rio Olympics.
9ine is to serve a menu of PR, branded events, activation and related activities, according to WPP’s release.
WPP CEO Martin Sorrell believes this decade belongs to Brazil and Latin America. Noting that Ronaldo was voted FIFA’s best world footballer three times, Sorrell says “thankfully, he will playing for WPP.”
Ronaldo retired from the Corinthians in Brazil in February.
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