- Portuguese star’s shirt became a best-seller within one hour
- Manchester United record highest ever shirt sales within four hours of release
Since completing his sensational return to Manchester United, Cristiano Ronaldo’s shirt sales have set new sales records via the English soccer giants’ ecommerce platform.
On 2nd September, the club revealed that the Portuguese star would reclaim the iconic number seven jersey, which he wore during his previous spell at the club from 2003 to 2009.
Fanatics, United’s retail partner, has revealed that in just four hours following that announcement sales surpassed the highest day of sales ever on a single sports merchandise piece site outside of North America. The first hour of sales alone surpassed the best ever full day for United Direct, the club’s official merchandise platform.
Across the Fanatics network, Ronaldo became the biggest merchandise-selling player ever in the 24 hours following a transfer to a new club, pipping rival Lionel Messi’s recent move to Paris Saint-German, as well as Bryce Harper (Philadelphia Phillies), Tom Brady (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers).
Striker Edinson Cavani had originally been given the number seven shirt but United agreed a special dispensation with the Premier League in order to make the switch, with the club offering fans an exchange free of charge.
Ronaldo will make his highly anticipated return to Old Trafford on Saturday, when United face Newcastle United at 3pm.
