Cristiano Ronaldo has expanded his footprint in global football ownership after acquiring a 25 per cent stake in Spanish second-division side UD Almería through his CR7 Sports Investments vehicle.
The 41-year-old Portuguese forward, who currently plays for Al Nassr FC, completed the investment as part of a deal involving the Saudi-led ownership group that took over the club in May 2025.
Almería is controlled by a Saudi Arabian investment consortium led by club president Mohammed Al Khereiji.
Although financial details of the transaction were not disclosed, the deal is understood to be a long-term strategic investment rather than a short-term commercial venture.
Ronaldo said the move aligns with his long-stated ambition to transition into football ownership after retirement.
“I have long had the ambition to contribute to football beyond the pitch,” he said in a statement. “UD Almería is a Spanish club with a strong foundation and clear growth potential. I look forward to working with the leadership team to support the club in its next phase of growth.”
The investment further strengthens Ronaldo’s business interests within football and reconnects him with Spain’s football ecosystem, where he built much of his legacy with Real Madrid CF.
The development also underscores growing Saudi investment in European football assets. Almería’s ownership structure reflects increasing Saudi involvement in the global game, while Ronaldo remains one of the most prominent figures associated with the Saudi Pro League project.
Al Khereiji welcomed Ronaldo into the club’s shareholding structure, describing him as one of the greatest players in football history.
“He knows Spanish football very well and understands the potential of what we are building here, both in terms of the first team and the youth academy,” he said.
Relegated in April 2024, Almería are currently third in Spain’s second tier after 27 matches, just two points behind leaders Racing Santander.
The club remains firmly in the promotion race, with a potential return to the top flight expected to significantly boost its enterprise value.
For Ronaldo, who recently extended his contract at Al Nassr until June 2027 and is expected to lead Portugal at the next FIFA World Cup, the Almería acquisition represents a calculated diversification strategy, blending sporting ambition with long-term investment positioning in European football.
