Cristiano Ronaldo has been seen exploring a new sport outside of football: padel.
The Portuguese superstar has been enjoying some games with his longtime friend Miguel Paixão, whom he has known since his days at Sporting.
Ronaldo is not only a fan of padel but also plans to invest in the sport and become an entrepreneur within it. DirectTVSport reports that the 39-year-old aims to help grow padel in Portugal and establish himself as a significant figure in both the sport and its business aspects.
Padel, also known as padel tennis, is a racket sport originating from Mexico. It uses two paddles and a tennis ball and shares tennis’s scoring system but differs in technique, court size, and net distance.
The Padel City project, approved by Oeiras City Council, was developed by the Portuguese Padel Federation in partnership with Smooth Odissey, a company owned by Ronaldo and businessman Filipe de Botton.
Currently in the specialised licensing stage, the project will soon commence construction of padel courts in Vale do Jamor, Portugal. The facility will include 17 padel courts, with 15 covered for year-round play.
Plans also include a centre court with seating for over 2,000 spectators, as well as a restaurant, gym, and physiotherapy room within a 15,000-square-meter complex.
This site will also become the new headquarters for the Portuguese Padel Federation. Ronaldo is undertaking this project alongside his other business ventures, including the Pestana Hotels brand, a clothing and underwear line, fitness centers in Saudi Arabia, and real estate investments.