The campaign, created by Octagon Latam, began airing this Wednesday (26) as part of the ongoing communication for Safe Substitution, the feature that allows a bet to automatically follow a substitution during a match, meaning the incoming player replaces the original selection in the user’s bet.
With a panel composed of comedian Emerson França—known for imitating the Betfair ambassador—fan Fabiano Vieira, who shares Ronaldo’s vocal timbre, and Joelfersson de Araújo, a look-alike of the Fenômeno, the challenge began. In front of them, a judging panel featuring influencers Nando Gald, Gustavo Reis, and Beto Oliver had one mission: to identify which of the participants was the real “Ronaldo” among the imitators.
The highlight of the action happens when the Fenômeno himself joins the competition as if he were just another contestant, triggering spontaneous reactions, humorous moments, and exclusive stories from the football icon’s career. The playful setup reinforces Betfair’s core platform concept: Safe Substitution, a feature available to all users in select markets.
Ronaldo said the imitation battle surprised even him: “It was really fun to take part in this imitator challenge. Betfair turned a simple idea into something super funny. I went into the booth thinking I’d be easily recognized by my voice, but the guys were so good that even I got confused about who the real Ronaldo was.”
He added: “It was hilarious watching people try to figure it out based on stories from my life—and being part of it all without them knowing I was there. Betfair absolutely nailed it: a light, creative action full of surprises.”
The documentary-style video, filled with mystery and humor, is available on Betfair’s digital platforms. The campaign includes a main video on YouTube, extra content, behind-the-scenes footage, and social media cuts.
How safe substitution works
Just like in the campaign, the Safe Substitution feature comes into play when a player leaves the field: the bet automatically adapts, and the incoming player becomes the new valid selection for the original wager.
This means that if a bettor places money on a player to score and he is substituted before taking the shot, the bet remains active with the replacement. The tool brings betting even closer to real football dynamics, providing more excitement and reducing frustration for users.
Safe Substitution reinforces Betfair’s commitment to delivering innovative and entertaining experiences supported by technology and creativity.
Betfair
Betfair is one of the world’s largest online sports betting providers and is the official sponsor of Cruzeiro and Vasco da Gama.
Founded in London (UK) in 2000, the company pioneered peer-to-peer betting (Betfair Exchange) and offers a full suite of sports betting and online gaming products to more than four million adult customers worldwide.
With cutting-edge technology, the platform allows users to place bets with their own odds or odds offered by other users. Betfair is licensed to operate online betting and gaming in 19 countries, including Spain, Italy, Malta, Great Britain and Brazil. Use your head. Bet responsibly. SPA/MF Ordinance No. 248.
Source: GMB
