Football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly entering the film industry, taking on a role in the upcoming series "Day 1s". According to The Sun on July 27, the Portuguese athlete is involved in the production of the show, which centers on a fictional English football agent named Stanley Dalton. The project, based on an idea by real-life football agent Darren Dein, has already commenced filming in London.

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates during Portugal's 2-1 victory over Croatia in the round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup. Photo: AP

The series features actor Damian Lewis in the lead role, with former football legend Thierry Henry and rapper Dave slated for guest appearances. "Day 1s" is described as having a similar tone to "The Playoffs", a Brazilian series about football agents starring Caua Reymond.

This venture marks the first series produced by UR•Marv Studios, a joint venture between Ronaldo and acclaimed director Matthew Vaughn. Launched in April 2025, UR•Marv representatives announced that the studio had already completed two sports-themed feature films. The company aims to integrate advanced technology with traditional filmmaking approaches. Matthew Vaughn, 55, is known for directing films such as "Layer Cake", "X-Men: First Class", and the "Kingsman" franchise.

Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, currently plays for Al-Nassr Club in Saudi Arabia and captains the Portuguese national team. He is considered one of the greatest players of all time, having won five Ballon d'Or awards (in 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017) and holding the world record for most goals scored. His influence extends beyond football, as he is the most followed athlete on social media, with over 678 million followers on Instagram. In August 2024, Ronaldo launched his YouTube channel, which rapidly became the fastest account to reach one million subscribers.

His recent World Cup appearance concluded his career in the prestigious tournament, with Portugal exiting in the round of 16 after a defeat to champions Spain. Industry insiders suggest that the significant buzz surrounding the World Cup in North America is driving considerable interest in English football-related content. Consequently, "Day 1s" is anticipated to become a highly sought-after property for various streaming platforms, sparking intense competition for its broadcast rights.

Beyond his football career, Ronaldo is actively building a business empire that includes entertainment ventures. He previously appeared in two documentaries chronicling his career, released in 2014 and 2020. At the time, experts noted his potential to transition from football to film, following in the footsteps of players like Eric Cantona and Vinnie Jones.

In a 2016 interview, Ronaldo stated that cinema was a field he enjoyed, though it wasn't his primary focus at that stage. Later, in 2020, the Spanish edition of Goal reported that Ronaldo planned to improve his English language skills and study acting, with the intention of pursuing Hollywood action films after his retirement from professional football.

By Cat Tien (according to Deadline, The Sun)