Cristiano Ronaldo acquires 25% stake in Spanish club Almeria

Cristiano Ronaldo Acquires 25% Stake in Spanish Club UD Almeria

Cristiano Ronaldo has purchased a 25% ownership stake in Spanish second-division club UD Almeria, marking the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s first foray into football club ownership. The deal, confirmed Thursday by consulting firm Brunswick Group on behalf of the Portuguese forward, was completed through his newly established CR7 Sports Investments subsidiary.udalmeriasad

The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed, though the deal has been characterized as a long-term strategic investment. Almeria, which is currently third in Spain’s Segunda Division and in contention for promotion to La Liga, has been under Saudi ownership since 2019.apnews

Ronaldo Eyes Life Beyond the Pitch

“It has been a long-time ambition of mine to contribute to football, beyond the pitch,” Ronaldo said in a statement. “UD Almería is a Spanish club with a strong foundation and clear growth potential. I wish to work with the team leading the club to support it in its new phase of growth.”espn

The 41-year-old, who currently plays for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia’s Pro League, became football’s first billionaire in October 2025 when the Bloomberg Billionaires Index placed his net worth at $1.4 billion. His wealth has been fueled by a contract extension with Al-Nassr reportedly worth over $400 million, a lifetime Nike deal, and a sprawling CR7 brand empire spanning hotels, clothing, and fragrances.theguardian

Ronaldo spent nine seasons at Real Madrid, where he became the club’s all-time leading scorer with 311 La Liga goals, giving him an intimate knowledge of Spanish football that Almeria’s leadership views as a valuable asset.realmadrid

A New Chapter for Almeria

UD Almeria was taken over in May 2025 by a Saudi investment consortium led by SMC Group, with Mohamed Al Khereiji assuming the role of club president after purchasing the club from its previous owner, Turki Al Alsheikh. Ronaldo’s investment adds another layer to the club’s Saudi-linked ownership structure.besoccer

“We’re very pleased that Cristiano has chosen our club to invest in,” Al Khereiji said. “He knows the Spanish leagues very well and understands the potential of what we are building here both in terms of the team and the youth academy.”udalmeriasad

Relegated from La Liga at the end of the 2023-24 season, Almeria currently sit third in the second tier, two points behind leaders Racing Santander after 27 games, keeping the club firmly in the promotion race. Whether Ronaldo’s involvement remains purely financial or eventually extends further remains to be seen — speculation in Almeria has already swirled about the possibility of the forward one day wearing the club’s shirt.as