Cristiano Ronaldo has entered club ownership for the first time, acquiring a 25 percent stake in Spanish second-division side UD Almeria through his investment brand CR7 SA.
The 41-year-old Portugal forward joins an ownership group led by Saudi Media Company, which operates Al Nassr’s Mrsool Park stadium where Ronaldo currently plays. The Saudi-led consortium completed a full transfer of ownership of the Andalusian club in May.
Ronaldo’s investment arrives shortly after his return to the pitch with Al Nassr following a three-game absence stemming from a dispute over the Saudi club’s management. On Sunday, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner declared he was “very happy” and that he “belong(s) to Saudi Arabia.”
The move represents a homecoming of sorts for Ronaldo, who spent nine transformative years in Spain with Real Madrid between 2009 and 2018, claiming four Champions League titles and two La Liga crowns.
“For a long time, my ambition has been to contribute to football beyond the pitch,” Ronaldo said in a statement Thursday. “UD Almeria is a club with a solid foundation and clear potential for growth. I look forward to working with the management team to support the club’s next phase of growth.”
Club profile
Almeria currently sit third in Spain’s Segunda Division, just two points off the top spot and well-positioned for promotion playoff contention. The club, which plays at the 17,400-capacity Power Horse Stadium, has experienced seven seasons in La Liga since its first promotion in 2007, most recently competing in the top flight in 2022 before relegation in 2024.
The club’s Saudi connections run deep. In August, Almeria hosted Ronaldo’s Al Nassr in a friendly, winning 3-2 despite two goals from the Portuguese star. The club has also developed a reputation for player development, selling Colombian forward Luis Suarez to Sporting CP for €22 million last year and 22-year-old full-back Marc Pubill to Atletico Madrid for €16 million last summer.
Business empire expands
Ronaldo, who became football’s first billionaire according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index in October, earns more than £175 million ($240 million) annually from his Al Nassr contract. His CR7 brand encompasses ventures in water, underwear, footwear and fragrances, alongside partnerships with 18 brands including Nike.
The former Sporting CP, Manchester United and Juventus forward joined Al Nassr in December 2022 and signed a new two-year contract in June that includes a €50 million release clause.
Almeria represents Ronaldo’s first foray into club ownership, marking a new chapter for an athlete increasingly building his post-playing legacy while still active on the pitch.
