In a surprising twist, football legend Cristiano Ronaldo is making headlines once again, but this time it’s not for his on-pitch heroics. The renowned athlete has set his sights on a bold venture: investing in the very Portuguese tabloid that has often been a thorn in his side throughout his illustrious career. Ronaldo, in collaboration with the Expressão Livre company, has made an intriguing offer to purchase Cofina Media, the owner of notorious publications like the Mail of Manhã Magazine and CM Television. If successful, this move would see the soccer superstar become a significant shareholder in the very newspaper he has taken to court multiple times. Let’s delve deeper into this riveting story of ambition, conflict, and redemption.
The Unruly Past: Over the years, the tension between Cristiano Ronaldo and Cofina Media has been well-documented. The Mail of Manhã, Portugal’s best-selling newspaper, has relentlessly covered every aspect of the star’s life, be it his private affairs or business ventures. From his relationships to his family, nothing seemed off-limits for the tabloid, a fact that deeply irked the footballer. Back in Euro 2016, an infamous episode occurred when a CM Television journalist approached Ronaldo with an innocent question. Frustrated with the constant intrusion, he famously snatched the microphone and tossed it into a nearby lake. This incident further fueled the animosity between the athlete and the media group.
Legal Battles and Privacy Invasion: The battle in court began as early as 2011 when Lives del diario, a magazine owned by Cofina Media, published an interview with Ronaldo’s eldest son’s caregiver, revealing sensitive information about the child’s birth. The star took legal action and successfully defended his right to privacy. The feud continued in 2015 when the Mail of Manhã published rumors accusing Ronaldo of harassing a minor through social media. Furious with the lack of journalistic ethics, Ronaldo once again fought back, demanding accountability from the media.
A Rollercoaster Relationship with Real Madrid: Even during his tenure with Real Madrid, the tabloid did not spare Ronaldo from their controversial reports. A headline accused the Spanish club of coercing the footballer to sign a confidentiality agreement with a model who had alleged sexual assault against him. Both Ronaldo and his partner, Georgina Rodríguez, have been victims of fabricated stories and hoaxes perpetuated by the very media organization he now seeks to invest in.
A Turbulent Past Comes Full Circle: Not just confined to personal life, the tabloid shed light on urban irregularities involving Ronaldo’s properties in Portugal. Reports highlighted illegal constructions near the Caniçade reservoir and unauthorized changes to his Lisbon penthouse. The constant media scrutiny eventually led to a faceoff with the Lisbon Municipal Chamber, forcing Ronaldo to either demolish the additions or revert to the original state.
The Daring Aspiration: Despite this long-standing hostility between the media group and Ronaldo’s family, the footballer now contemplates an audacious plan to become a shareholder in Cofina Media. Alongside ten other investors, Ronaldo’s company, Expressão Livre, values the media group at a staggering 75 million euros. If the deal goes through, Ronaldo’s ownership of the tabloid that once haunted him will be a remarkable turnaround, showcasing his determination and resilience.
