Soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo has stepped into the realm of video game investments, joining the backers committing over $40 million to UFL, an upcoming free-to-play soccer video game.

The Portuguese superstar, renowned for his prowess on the pitch, is moving into the digital gaming arena. Ronaldo’s engagement signals a substantial shift in UFL’s trajectory, elevating its ambitions to change how soccer aficionados engage with virtual gaming experiences.

Ronaldo has a staggering 614 million followers on Instagram, and his involvement extends beyond a mere financial commitment, the company said. He will actively contribute to shaping UFL’s development, aligning with the game’s core mission.

Ronaldo said in a statement, “I’m thrilled to be a part of this project as UFL can become the new breed in football gaming.”

Behind UFL is Strikerz, the gaming brand under XTEN Limited, an international gaming company established in 2016. With a global team of over 200 people across four regional offices, Strikerz aims to reinvent online soccer simulation gaming through UFL.

Eugene Nashilov, CEO of Strikerz, said in a statement, “Having Cristiano Ronaldo join us as a partner and investor is a significant step forward and an endorsement of our vision to create the leading game for football fans in the world.”

UFL focuses on delivering solid gameplay, rewarding tactical knowledge and gaming skills. It enables players to build their clubs from scratch and ascend to championship status. And the game champions a fair-to-play philosophy, emphasizing skill over pay-to-win mechanisms.

While an official release date is yet to be confirmed, a closed testing phase will start soon. The game’s availability spans across the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S consoles.