As an international soccer superstar, Ronaldinho is no stranger to peddling products.
Consumers, especially those in Brazil, are used to seeing his image attached to some of their favorite goods. So his latest endorsement deal shouldn’t rub too many people the wrong way.
Ronaldinho has launched his own line of “signature” condoms. The contraceptive, called “Sex Free,” bears the Brazilian star’s signature and the crest of his club, Ateltico Mineiro, on the packaging.
It’s unknown what Ronaldinho earns from the endorsement deal, but it just might ease the sting he suffered last year when he lost a $750,000 Coca-Cola sponsorship because he took a sip from a Pepsi can during a news conference.
It’s more likely the condom venture isn’t aimed at filling the 33-year-old’s wallet. In 2011, Ronaldinho partnered with the UN and Brazil’s ministry of health to promote HIV and AIDS awareness. He uses his image in a variety of ways to help combat the disease. This could be the latest and most high-profile method.
On Tuesday, the two-time FIFA World Player of the Year (2004 and 2005) announced the new condom brand on his Facebook page. It had a photo and message saying “Guys, hit the market the condom with my signature, of Atletico MG and Sex Free. A sport partnership against AIDS!”
In a subsequent post, he said “It’s great to be involved with a campaign that has health as its main focus. I hope everyone has an awareness that sex without condoms, no way. Thanks to a partnership with Atletico and Sex Free!”
See the photo announcing Ronaldinho’s condoms below.
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Photo via Facebook/Ronaldinho Gaúcho
