Cristiano Ronaldo has taken a significant step into football club ownership by acquiring a twenty-five per cent stake in Spanish second division side Almeria. The purchase, made through his investment vehicle CR7 Sports Investments, marks the Portuguese superstar's first major move into the business side of the sport while he continues his playing career with Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia.
Strategic Investment in Spanish Football
The forty-one-year-old forward, who remains under contract with Al-Nassr until June 2027 and is preparing for this summer's World Cup, has long expressed interest in football ownership. His investment in Almeria comes exactly one year after the club was taken over by a Saudi investment group, positioning Ronaldo as a co-owner with substantial influence over the club's future direction.
In an official statement released on Thursday, Ronaldo declared: "It has been a longtime ambition of mine to contribute to football, beyond the pitch. UD Almeria is a Spanish club with strong foundations and clear potential for growth. I look forward to working alongside the leadership team to support the club's next phase of growth."
Manchester United Ownership Ambitions
This strategic investment could represent the initial phase of a broader plan that might ultimately lead to ownership of Manchester United, the club where Ronaldo achieved legendary status during two separate playing stints. The English giants have undergone significant ownership changes in recent years, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe's INEOS acquiring a minority stake and assuming control of football operations.
Ronaldo previously hinted at his interest in owning Manchester United during the 2024 Dubai Globe Soccer Awards, where he analyzed the club's ongoing challenges. "The problem of Manchester United is the same," Ronaldo explained. "The problem is not always the coach. It's much more than that. If I will be the owner of the club, I will make things clear and adjust things that are bad there."
Planning for Post-Retirement Future
While still actively competing at the highest level, Ronaldo has openly acknowledged that retirement approaches. In November, he clarified previous comments about retiring "soon," stating: "I'm really enjoying the moment right now. As you know, in football, when you reach some age, you count the months very quick. I feel very good in this moment. I score goals, I still feel quick and sharp. I'm enjoying my game in the national team. But of course, let's be honest. What I mean by soon is probably one or two years."
The Almeria investment provides Ronaldo with valuable experience in club management and operations as he prepares for life after his illustrious playing career concludes. This move demonstrates his commitment to remaining deeply involved in football through ownership and investment opportunities that could potentially reshape clubs' fortunes.
