Cristiano Ronaldo has acquired a 25 percent stake in Spanish second division club UD Almería, becoming a co owner while continuing his playing career with Al Nassr.
The 41 year old forward made the investment through his newly established CR7 Sports Investments. Ronaldo said he looks forward to collaborating with the club leadership “to support the next phase of the club growth,” emphasizing his long held ambition to contribute to football beyond the pitch.
Mohammed Al Khereiji, head of the Saudi consortium that owns Almería, welcomed Ronaldo’s involvement, highlighting his extensive experience in Spanish football. “Ronaldo 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,” he said.
Almería is currently third in Spain’s Segunda División, two points behind leaders Real Racing, with 15 games remaining in the season. The club was acquired last year by Al-Khereiji’s SMC Group from Turki Al Sheikh, chairman of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority.
Ronaldo spent nine years with Real Madrid, scoring 450 goals in 438 appearances, winning La Liga twice and the Champions League four times, before moving to Juventus in 2018. Since joining Al-Nassr in 2022, he has become the highest paid player in football history, earning £177 million annually.
His new role at UD Almería represents a significant step into football club ownership while maintaining his active playing career in Saudi Arabia.
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