Cristiano Ronaldo moves into club ownership by taking 25% stake in UD Almería
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Ronaldo's investment - financial terms were not disclosed - returns him to Spanish football off the field after nine glittering seasons at Real Madrid and follows a year in which Almería were taken over by a Saudi investment group.
The deal was announced on Thursday in a statement in which he said he wanted "to contribute to football, beyond the pitch" and to help the club's "next phase of growth."
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The 41-year-old remains an active player for Al-Nassr and has recently been the subject of headlines after a short strike at the end of the January transfer window amid frustrations over investment levels from the Public Investment Fund.Ronaldo has since reconciled with his club and returned to scoring form by converting a penalty in a 5-0 win over Al-Najma this week as Al-Nassr stayed top of the table.
He currently leads the line for his Saudi side and remains a Portugal captain, with eyes on the next World Cup.
Who's behind the ownership move?
Ronaldo has bought the stake via his company, CR7 Sports Investments, and is reported to have strong links with the leader of Almería's Saudi investor group, Mohamed Al-Khereiji.The pair are understood to be working closely on sporting and commercial plans at the club.
Club officials welcomed the new co-owner, saying his knowledge of Spanish football and global profile would accelerate Almería's growth, particularly in academy development and commercial revenue.
Immediate Aim: Promotion to La Liga
Almería sit among the promotion contenders in the Segunda División and now face expectations to push for La Liga status.Currently third in the table, the club are only a couple of points off the summit with the season entering a decisive phase.
Their next fixture - away to Albacete - will be the first match since Ronaldo's involvement was confirmed.
Promotion would boost the club's sporting profile and commercial value, and it is clearly the short-term objective for the new ownership group.
Why this matters?
Ronaldo's investment is notable for several reasons.It marks a return, in a different capacity, to the country where he enjoyed his most successful club spell at Madrid and follows his move from Juventus to Al-Nassr in 2022.
The purchase signals a growing trend of elite professionals using their profile and capital to take controlling or significant stakes in clubs, blending sporting ambition with wider commercial and legacy goals.
What this means for Ronaldo's post-playing profile
Ownership provides a structured, long-term role in the game that differs from the day-to-day demands of coaching or management.Whilst pundits and fans often speculate about Ronaldo stepping into management, this acquisition suggests he is prioritising strategic influence - from player recruitment and academy investment to brand expansion.
Off the pitch, his hospitality and lifestyle businesses are also reportedly eyeing expansion into the UK, underlining a broader commercial strategy.
Short-term goals, long-term plans
For Almería, the immediate focus is promotion and stabilising revenue streams that come with top-flight football.For Ronaldo, the move represents a measured first step into club ownership with a familiar cultural and sporting backdrop.
Whether this leads to further stakes in Europe, a long-term executive role or even a sporting directorial pathway remains to be seen.
What is clear is that Ronaldo is preparing to influence football from the boardroom as much as he has from the penalty spot.
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