Cristiano Ronaldo has acquired a 25 per cent stake in Spanish second division club UD Almería, marking his first major move into football club ownership. The investment was made through his new sports holding company, CR7 Sports Investments, which announced the deal on Thursday but did not disclose the financial terms.
“This strategic investment in UD Almería reflects Ronaldo’s long-term commitment to professional football ownership,” a statement from the company read. “It has been a long-time ambition of mine to contribute to football,” Ronaldo was quoted as saying. “I look forward to working alongside the leadership team to support the club’s next phase of growth.”
Almería, who were last in La Liga in 2024, currently sit third in the Segunda División, just one point from an automatic promotion place. The club is owned by Saudi group SMC. Almería’s president, Mohamed al-Khereiji, suggested that Ronaldo would be particularly involved in the club’s youth programme. “He is considered the best on the pitch,” Khereiji said. “He knows the Spanish leagues very well and understands the potential of what we are building.”
Ronaldo, who has played for Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr since 2023 and also holds a stake in that club, made history last October by becoming the first footballer included in Bloomberg’s “Billionaire Index”. He recently returned to the Al-Nassr first team after a disagreement over how the Public Investment Fund (PIF) handled the winter transfer window, and has scored four goals in his last three games.
The 41-year-old is set to take part in his sixth World Cup next summer, although he has suggested it could be his last.
