The global nutrition company, Herbalife, has announced that global football icon Cristiano Ronaldo has invested $7.5 million in its proprietary Pro2col™ technology platform, acquiring a 10 percent equity stake in the business.
The move marks a strategic deepening of a partnership that began in 2013, shifting Ronaldo’s role from long-standing global ambassador to investor. The Portuguese forward has been associated with Herbalife for more than a decade, during which the two collaborated on performance-focused products, including Herbalife24® CR7 Drive, a sports drink developed to support elite athletic performance.
Pro2col™ is positioned as a next-generation performance and wellness platform within Herbalife’s research and development ecosystem. The initiative integrates nutrition science, data analytics, artificial intelligence and personalised insights to enhance protein utilization, muscle recovery and overall athletic output. The platform is designed to serve both elite athletes and performance-driven consumers seeking science-backed recovery and conditioning solutions.
Herbalife Chief Executive Officer Stephan Gratziani said, “Cristiano has been a valued partner for more than a decade, and his decision to take an ownership stake in Pro2col marks an important milestone in our relationship. His investment reflects a shared belief in the power of nutrition, data, AI, and personalised insights to drive better health outcomes, and reinforces his confidence in the future impact of Pro2col.”
Cristiano Ronaldo added, “After more than a decade together, our relationship is built on trust and shared ambition. Investing in Pro2col felt like a natural evolution — in addition to representing Herbalife, this is about helping shape and grow a platform that can truly change how people engage with their health and wellness. I’ve seen firsthand how Herbalife brings together science, innovation and personal support to make health and wellness more accessible. Working together with Herbalife to create something with lasting impact is what motivates me at this stage of my career.”
The development underscores Herbalife’s strategic focus on proprietary, science-led innovation as the global sports nutrition market continues to expand. Industry growth is being driven by rising health awareness, increased participation in fitness activities and growing demand for premium, clinically supported performance products.
For Ronaldo, the investment complements a diversified business portfolio spanning hospitality, fitness, fashion and digital ventures. His involvement strengthens the commercial positioning of Pro2col™ within the elite sports performance and wellness ecosystem.
Herbalife has indicated that Pro2col™ will play a central role in its future innovation pipeline, supporting product development targeted at professional athletes and high-performance consumers. The company has reaffirmed its commitment to continued investment in research, quality assurance and scientific validation to support the platform’s long-term growth.
The partnership reflects a broader shift within the sports industry, where high-profile athletes are increasingly taking equity stakes in performance and wellness ventures, aligning long-term commercial interests with brand credibility and innovation.
