Cristiano Ronaldo’s final FIFA World Cup appearance has sparked a surge in demand for his memorabilia, with collectors paying tens of thousands of yuan for rare signed items following the Portuguese superstar’s international farewell.
After completing his sixth and final World Cup campaign, Ronaldo’s influence continues to extend beyond the football pitch as fans and collectors race to secure limited-edition memorabilia linked to one of the game’s greatest players.
According to Chinese media outlet Yicai, Ronaldo-related collectibles have become some of the hottest items on the resale market. Signed jerseys, trading cards and other authenticated memorabilia are attracting fierce bidding on Chinese marketplace Dewu (Poizon), with some items selling for tens of thousands of yuan. Industry observers say the retirement or final major tournament of legendary athletes often drives a sharp increase in the value of officially authenticated collectibles.
Among the most sought-after items is a Real Madrid “Black Dragon Special Edition” jersey bearing Ronaldo’s autograph, which reportedly attracted bids of up to 78,000 yuan (approximately RM46,000). The auction drew more than 34,000 online viewers.
Memorabilia from Ronaldo’s time at Manchester United has also seen strong demand. A signed Manchester United supporter jersey received bids of 6,901 yuan (around RM4,100), while another signed 2022-season jersey opened for bidding at 27,500 yuan (approximately RM16,200) and attracted nearly 35,000 viewers.
Meanwhile, a Panini trading card featuring Ronaldo’s autograph was reportedly bid up to 26,900 yuan (around RM15,900).
Collectors believe officially authenticated signed memorabilia will continue to appreciate in value, especially as several football legends are expected to make their final appearances on the international stage during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
With Ronaldo’s World Cup journey now officially over, demand for his rare collectibles is expected to remain strong as fans seek to own a piece of football history.
