Cristiano Ronaldo has acquired a quarter stake in Spanish second-tier outfit UD Almeria, the club confirmed this morning.
The Portuguese forward, who continues to play for Al-Nassr at 41, completed the investment via CR7 Sports Investments, a recently formed arm of his business empire.
Financial details of the transaction remain undisclosed.
The deal represents Ronaldo’s first involvement in Spanish football since departing Real Madrid for Juventus during the 2018 summer transfer window, ending a trophy-filled nine-year spell at the Bernabéu.
He now holds the unusual distinction of being both an active professional footballer and a club co-owner simultaneously, adding a new dimension to his already extensive football career.
Ronaldo expressed his enthusiasm for the venture, stating: “It has been a longtime ambition of mine to contribute to football, beyond the pitch.”
He added: “UD Almeria is a Spanish club with strong foundations and clear potential for growth. I look forward to working alongside the leadership team to support the club’s next phase of growth.”
Cristiano Ronaldo has acquired a quarter stake in Spanish second-tier outfit UD Almeria, the club confirmed this morning
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Club president Mohamed Al Khereiji welcomed the investment warmly.
“We are very pleased that Cristiano has chosen our club to invest in,” Al Khereiji said.
“He is regarded as the greatest to ever play the game, he knows the Spanish leagues very well and he understands the potential of what we are building here both in terms of the team and the academy.”
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Almeria currently occupy third position in Segunda División, sitting on 48 points from 27 fixtures and trailing leaders Real Racing by just two points with 15 matches remaining this campaign.
The Andalusian club, established in 1989, came under Saudi ownership 12 months ago when an investment group acquired control.
Ronaldo is believed to maintain a close personal connection with Al Khereiji, who reportedly played a key role in arranging the forward’s transfer to Al-Nassr in 2022 following his turbulent departure from Manchester United.
Almeria’s first competitive fixture with their new co-owner in place comes on Friday evening, when they face mid-table side Albacete away from home.
This move into club ownership follows comments Ronaldo made at the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards in December 2024, where he suggested he could one day take on such a role at Manchester United.
Speaking about the Red Devils’ ongoing difficulties, he argued the issues extended far beyond coaching appointments.
Cristiano Ronaldo is still going strong on the pitch at the age of 41
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“The problem is not always the coach. It’s much more than that,” Ronaldo said, comparing the situation to a sick fish being returned to a contaminated aquarium.
“If I will be the owner of the club, I will make things clear and adjust things that are bad there.”
Those remarks came after his controversial 2021 interview with Piers Morgan, during which he accused Glazer family co-owners Joel and Avram of treating United primarily as a marketing enterprise rather than prioritising sporting success.
Ronaldo also took aim at Erik ten Hag, who was manager at the time.
