NEW DELHI: Portugal has become the latest footballing power to turn its commercial lens on the opportunities unfolding in the world’s second biggest country by population.
The Portuguese Football Federation’s chief commercial officer Diarmuid Crowley, speaking at the “Sports Movement” conference organised by India on Track, said the PFF is eyeing the Indian football market as part of its expansion plan in Asia. Portugal already has three Chinese partners.
“The Portuguese league is not among the top leagues of the world but we have the most popular footballer of the world – Cristiano Ronaldo,” said Crowley, adding that CR7 was a marketing delight and every corporate entity wants a piece of him. “We certainly want to tie up with India,” he noted.
Crowley, an Irishman better known as DC in football’s circles, also has the mandate to pitch for partnership opportunities for the world’s most popular footballer (on social media at least). DC is hopeful that Indian corporates looking to build their international profile would be interested in signing the Portuguese captain.
Tata Motors had contracted football superstar Lionel Messi as its global brand ambassador for its passenger vehicle business in November 2015 on a two-year deal. It was the first time the parent of Jaguar Land Rover had roped in such a big name to become the face of its Tata cars.
Crowley is looking for something similar with CR7 and has lined up meetings in the coming days with Indian brands that have invested in football, the SportzPower can reveal.
