Cristiano Ronaldo looks set to follow in another former Manchester United number 7's footsteps, and take on David Beckham's place as the most commercially valuable soccer player in the world.

Ronaldo, who left Manchester United for Real Madrid last summer for a world record transfer fee, has already followed in Beckham's footsteps by swapping Old Trafford for the Bernabeu. Now, with lucrative endorsements with the likes of Castrol under his belt and more rumoured to be on the way, it appears he could be ready to succeed Beckham as a brand as well as a player.

The latest news is that the more recent former Old Trafford star looks set to land a €24 million four-year endorsement deal with Nike. Though that is still some way short of Beckham's comprehensive deal with Adidas, it reflects the speed with which Ronaldo has adapted to La Liga since leaving Manchester United, and underlines his commercial potential as Beckham's career draws to a close.

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Real Madrid are two points off Barcelona at the top of La Liga, and Ronaldo is the team's top scorer, with 19 for the season in all competitions. Back in England, Manchester United are just one point behind league leaders Chelsea, and Wayne Rooney, the man who has replaced Ronaldo as Old Trafford's undisputed star, has notched 28 for the season, including the winner in Sunday's Carling Cup final.