TL;DR

Cristiano Ronaldo has taken a stake in Perplexity AI, the rapidly-growing search startup valued at $20 billion. The investment includes a global sponsorship agreement and an interactive fan hub on the platform, marking the Portuguese star’s most significant technology investment.

A High-Profile AI Bet

The size of Ronaldo’s stake and financial terms were not disclosed. Perplexity AI, founded in 2022, has positioned itself as a direct challenger to Google and has been expanding its enterprise tools, paid subscriptions and international footprint amid surging demand for AI-powered search alternatives.

Ronaldo, currently based in Saudi Arabia, has a net worth of approximately $1.4 billion according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. Until now, his investments have primarily focused on smaller Portuguese businesses, including the Lisboa Racket Center acquisition in 2024, a hotel chain, gyms and a media group.

Celebrity Meets AI

The partnership includes the launch of an interactive hub for fans on Perplexity’s search engine, combining Ronaldo’s global reach with the AI company’s technology platform. The investment comes weeks after Ronaldo met with US President Donald Trump in Washington, an encounter that sparked online speculation about potential commercial or promotional ties.

Looking Forward

This investment signals growing mainstream interest in AI search alternatives, with high-profile endorsements potentially accelerating consumer adoption. For businesses watching the AI landscape, Perplexity’s celebrity partnerships suggest the company is pursuing aggressive brand-building alongside its technical development—a strategy that could reshape how AI tools compete for market share.

Source: Bloomberg