In a move that signals a major shift from brand ambassador to strategic business partner, football icon Cristiano Ronaldo has acquired a 10% equity stake in Herbalife’s proprietary Pro2col™ technology platform. The $7.5 million investment, announced on February 19, 2026, marks a significant evolution in a relationship that first began in 2013.
The partnership, which previously focused on product collaborations like the CR7 Drive sports drink, now moves into the realm of cutting-edge research and development.
What is Pro2col?
Pro2col™ is Herbalife’s next-generation performance and wellness platform. It represents a massive leap into the tech-driven fitness market, integrating several high-tech disciplines:
- Artificial Intelligence: Utilizing AI to provide personalized health insights.
- Data Analytics: Tracking protein utilization and muscle recovery metrics.
- Personalized Nutrition: Designing science-backed recovery solutions for both elite athletes and everyday fitness enthusiasts.
A New Chapter in Sports Business
Ronaldo’s investment reflects a growing trend where top-tier athletes are no longer content with simple endorsement fees, opting instead for equity to align their long-term commercial interests with brand innovation.
“Investing in Pro2col felt like a natural evolution. This is about helping shape and grow a platform that can truly change how people engage with their health and wellness.” — Cristiano Ronaldo.
Herbalife CEO Stephan Gratziani noted that Ronaldo’s confidence in the platform’s future impact reinforces the company’s commitment to the global sports nutrition market, which continues to see rapid expansion driven by premium, clinically supported products.