By John Akande

Today marks the 40th birthday of one of the greatest athletes of all time Cristiano Ronaldo. To many, he is simply a footballer but for me, he represents much more than that. Cristiano Ronaldo is the epitome of what it means to relentlessly pursue greatness both on and off the field. His story is one of continuous growth, unmatched discipline and an unyielding desire to evolve, which is why I find his journey to be so inspiring not just as a fan of football but as an entrepreneur and business strategist.

Ronaldo's success story is about more than raw talent; it's about hard work, consistency, and relentless self-improvement. His journey isn’t just a tale of being at the top of his game, it’s about understanding the importance of strategy, adaptation and evolution. As I reflect on his impact, it’s clear that there are valuable lessons that entrepreneurs, business owners, and brands can learn from the way Ronaldo approaches life and his career.

I’ll explore why Cristiano Ronaldo is more than just a footballer and how his mindset can teach us valuable lessons for growing businesses. I’ll also dive into how the principles he embodies such as visibility, strategy and adaptation can transform your business, taking it from good to great.



Cristiano Ronaldo's Mindset: A blueprint for business success

Cristiano Ronaldo's career is a perfect example of the power of mindset and discipline. What has set him apart from many others in the world of football is not just his athleticism but his obsession with improvement. At 40, when many athletes would have started to slow down, Ronaldo continues to evolve, reinventing himself to remain at the top of his game.

Ronaldo’s mindset can be broken down into several key traits that make him successful:

  1. Relentless work ethic and discipline: Ronaldo’s dedication to his craft is legendary. He doesn’t wait for greatness to come to him. Instead, he works tirelessly every single day to make sure he’s the best version of himself. His work ethic is a key reason why he has maintained his position at the top for such a long time.
  2. Adaptability and reinvention: Over the years, Ronaldo has adapted his playing style. He has evolved from a fast, winger-oriented forward to a clinical goal scorer with incredible precision. This adaptability, the willingness to retool and reframe his skills, is what has kept him competitive at the highest levels.
  3. Mental toughness: Ronaldo is a master of the mental game. His mental toughness has allowed him to handle immense pressure, bounce back from failures and consistently perform under the brightest lights.

As an entrepreneur, I’ve learned that these principles apply just as much in business as they do in sports. The road to success is paved with discipline, the ability to adapt to change and the mental strength to keep going when the going gets tough. This is what defines great leaders and successful businesses.

The Connection: Ronaldo’s approach and business growth

Now, let’s take these lessons and look at how they apply to growing your business. Just as Ronaldo is obsessed with evolution, entrepreneurs need to focus on the continuous evolution of their businesses. The way he reinvents himself to stay at the top of his game is no different from how businesses must evolve to remain competitive in today’s digital landscape.

1. The importance of strategy in business

Ronaldo doesn’t just show up to the pitch and hope for the best. He has a clear strategy for each match, whether it's his positioning, how he’s going to move, or his role within the team. Similarly, in business, success is rarely a matter of luck, it’s a product of careful planning and strategy.

As a Visibility and Automation Expert, I often see businesses struggle because they haven’t put together a clear strategy to guide them. Without strategy, there’s no clear direction. Without direction, there’s no growth.

Your business needs a roadmap, just like a footballer needs a game plan. Whether it’s building a solid brand, creating a website that drives sales or implementing systems that automate tasks, having a clear strategy is essential for scaling.

2. Consistency and execution: The secret to success

One of Ronaldo’s most remarkable qualities is his consistency. He doesn’t just perform during big moments; he performs day in and day out. Whether it’s training, diet or preparation for a match, Ronaldo is consistent in everything he does. This consistency is what keeps him performing at the top level.

For businesses, consistency and execution are just as crucial. It’s not enough to have a great product or service; you need to consistently deliver value to your customers and execute your strategies with precision.

Consistency in branding: Branding is essential in business. Consistent branding across all platforms, from your website to your social media builds recognition and trust. When you show up every day with a cohesive message, your audience will begin to trust you more.

Consistent marketing: Running effective marketing campaigns and engaging with your audience consistently is vital for building long-term success. Marketing isn’t a one-off task; it’s a continuous process of putting your brand in front of your target audience, driving traffic and converting that traffic into loyal customers.

3. Automation: The key to scaling your business

Ronaldo doesn’t do everything himself. He has a team of coaches, nutritionists and support staff who help him optimize every aspect of his performance. Similarly, in business, you need to leverage technology and automation to scale effectively.

Tools and strategies like Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems and digital marketing software can help streamline your business processes, improve efficiency and allow you to focus on what matters most; growing your brand and increasing revenue.

For example, if your website isn’t optimized for search engines, it won’t attract organic traffic, and if you’re not using CRM systems to nurture relationships with your customers, you’re missing out on opportunities for growth.

Automation can give your business the same competitive edge that Ronaldo gets from his world-class team.

How to apply Ronaldo’s principles to your business

So, how can you take these lessons and apply them to your business today? Here’s a step-by-step guide:

  1. Start with strategy: Define what success looks like for your business. Create a roadmap that outlines your goals, target audience and key performance indicators (KPIs). Identify what sets you apart from your competitors and double down on that.
  2. Consistency is key: Show up every day with the same level of commitment that Ronaldo does. Whether it’s posting consistently on social media, updating your website, or refining your sales processes, consistency will build trust with your audience and keep your business on track for success.
  3. Invest in automation: Use the right tools to automate repetitive tasks and optimize your workflows. SEO tools can help you rank on Google, while CRM software can ensure you’re staying connected with your customers. Automation frees up time for you to focus on scaling your business.
  4. Be adaptable: Just as Ronaldo continuously reinvents himself, you need to stay adaptable in business. Technology, market trends, and customer needs change, so it’s important to be flexible and evolve with the times. Keep learning, testing new strategies, and embracing change.
  5. Embrace mental toughness: In business, you’ll face challenges, setbacks, and tough days. But just like Ronaldo, you must keep going. Perseverance and resilience are essential traits that will help you overcome obstacles and push through difficult times.


Are you playing to win?

Cristiano Ronaldo isn’t just a footballer, he’s a testament to the power of a growth mindset, consistency and strategic adaptation. As entrepreneurs and business owners, we can learn a lot from his approach to life and success. The question you need to ask yourself today is: Are you just in the game, or are you playing to win?

In business, success isn’t about showing up; it’s about consistently putting in the work, adapting to change and using the right tools to scale. So, as we celebrate CR7’s milestone today, let his journey inspire you to approach your business with the same intensity, focus and innovation.

 John Akande, Director, Zozzah. Credit: Zozzah