Cristiano Ronaldo has acquired a 25 per cent stake in UD Almería, the Spanish second division club owned by Saudi group SMC. The announcement was made on Thursday through his newly formed sports holding company, CR7 Sports Investments.
“This strategic investment in UD Almería reflects Ronaldo’s long-term commitment to professional football ownership,” a statement said. No financial details of the deal were disclosed.
Almería currently sit third in the Segunda División, one point off the automatic promotion places, having last featured in La Liga in 2024. The club’s president, Mohamed al-Khereiji, indicated that Ronaldo would be particularly involved in the youth programme, noting that “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 owns a stake in that club, became the first footballer included in Bloomberg’s “Billionaire Index” last October. He recently returned to the Al-Nassr first team after a disagreement with the Public Investment Fund over the winter transfer window, and has scored four goals in his last three appearances.
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.
