Football icon Cristiano Ronaldo has taken a significant step into club ownership by purchasing a 25% stake in UD Almería, the Spanish second-division side currently competing in the Liga Hypermotion (Segunda División).
The deal, announced today, was executed through Ronaldo’s newly established CR7 Sports Investments subsidiary, part of his broader business entity CR7 SA. A consulting firm representing the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, Brunswick Group, confirmed the transaction, describing it as a long-term strategic investment.
Financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed.Ronaldo, the 41-year-old Al-Nassr forward and Portugal captain, expressed enthusiasm about the move in a statement: “It has been a longtime ambition of mine to contribute to football beyond the pitch. UD Almería is a Spanish club with strong foundations and clear potential for growth. I wish to work with the team leading the club to support it in its new phase of growth.”The investment marks Ronaldo’s first major venture into club ownership and signals his preparations for life after his playing career winds down. It also represents a return to Spanish football for the superstar, who previously starred for Real Madrid from 2009 to 2018, winning multiple titles including four Champions Leagues and two La Liga crowns.UD Almería, based in Andalusia, is currently third in the Segunda División standings, just two points off the top spot with 15 rounds remaining in the season.
The club has strong promotion ambitions to return to La Liga, having been relegated after the 2023/24 campaign. The majority ownership remains with a Saudi Arabian investment group led by Mohamed Al Khereiji’s Saudi Media Corporation, which acquired the club last year.Ronaldo’s involvement is expected to boost the project’s visibility and resources as Almería pushes for promotion. His close relationship with club president Mohamed Al Khereiji—who played a key role in facilitating Ronaldo’s 2022 move to Saudi club Al-Nassr—reportedly helped pave the way for the partnership.
This acquisition adds to Ronaldo’s expanding business portfolio, which already includes ventures in hospitality, luxury, health and wellness, technology, media, and recent investments in areas like mixed martial arts. CR7 Sports Investments is positioned to evaluate and pursue further strategic opportunities in the sports sector.Fans and analysts see the move as a natural progression for one of football’s greatest players, transitioning his global influence from the pitch to the boardroom while potentially elevating a mid-tier Spanish club with promotion aspirations.As Ronaldo continues his prolific career at Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, his stake in UD Almería opens an exciting new chapter in his legacy.
