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Cristiano Ronaldo and Virgil van Dijk have got embroiled in controversy after using the WHOOP wristband in Euro 2024. The two superstars have been using the waistband to get comprehensive data about various bodily functions like heart rate, blood oxygen levels, quality of sleep after matches, and other functions.
In 2022, Van Dijk joined the company as a global ambassador alongside other sporting stars like Michael Phelps, Rory Mcllroy, Beth Mead, Anthony Watson, and Cristiano Ronaldo.
“As a longtime Whoop member, this partnership makes perfect sense for me; every percentage of improvement that you can make ultimately benefits you, and Whoop is a tool that helps me take control of my health and be successful,” said the Netherlands skipper at that time (via Sports Pro Media).
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The founder and CEO of the company, Will Ahmed, also commented on the importance of Virgil Van Dijk as a longtime WHOOP member.
(Van Dijk has) been a longtime Whoop member, and we’re thrilled to work with him more directly as he joins our company as an investor. We’re looking forward to Virgil supporting the future direction of our product especially as we grow internationally,” said the CEO.
However, Cristiano Ronaldo and Virgil van Dijk have been surrounded by controversy after the former was allegedly caught in an ambush marketing stunt for WHOOP. All of the Portuguese ace's vital stats during the Round of 16 win against Slovenia were tracked by the WHOOP wristband he wore during the match.
The 'ambush marketing' stunts have been criticized by Ricardo Fort, the head of global sponsorships at Coca-Cola and Visa.
"Cristiano and WHOOP is ambush marketing to Euro 2024. It is illegal and both the player and the company should be fined. The post is about a UEFA matches, uses the names of the two national teams playing, score, and a player on the field," he said (via SportBible).
"They are implying an association with the event and that is illegal. Not having 'a competitor as a sponsor' isn't a reason to tolerate infringements," Fort added.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal knocked out of Euro 2024
Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal were knocked out of Euro 2024 after losing to France in the quarter-finals in Volksparkstadion on Friday, July 5. After a goalless extra time, the match went into penalties, with Les Bleus prevailing 5-3.
With France netting all five of their shootout penalties, Joao Felix missed for Portugal. Ronaldo, who netted in the shootout, bowed out of Euro 2024 without finding the back of the net.
Virgil van Dijk's Netherlands, meanwhile, will face Turkey in the quarterfinals on Saturday, July 6.
