Cristiano Ronaldo Secures Minority Stake in UD Almeria and Transforms Spanish Football Ownership Landscape

Back in 2023, when Cristiano Ronaldo was still settling into life at Al Nassr and edging toward what he admitted would be the final stretch of his playing days, he said something that felt more like a passing thought than a concrete plan.

He didn’t rule out owning a football club. In fact, he said he’d like to.

At the time, he gave himself two or three years before retirement.

Fast forward three years, and that vision has taken real shape.

On Thursday morning, it became official: Ronaldo has purchased a 25 per cent stake in Spanish second-tier side UD Almeria through his CR7 Sports Investments company.

The fee hasn’t been made public, but the symbolism is loud and clear — Ronaldo is preparing for life after football.

A Return to Familiar Territory in Spain

For Ronaldo, Spain isn’t just another footballing stop.

It’s where he became a global phenomenon in club football.

His nine glittering seasons at Real Madrid brought four Champions League titles, two LaLiga crowns, and a rivalry with Lionel Messi that defined an era.

Now, instead of lighting up Spanish stadiums with stepovers and screamers, he’ll be influencing the game from the boardroom.

In a statement following the announcement, Ronaldo described the investment as a “longtime ambition” and said he wants to contribute to football beyond the pitch.

He highlighted Almeria’s foundations and growth potential — particularly the academy — suggesting this is about building, not just branding.

The Saudi Connection Behind the Deal

This move didn’t come out of thin air.

Ronaldo’s arrival at Al Nassr in late 2022 reshaped global football economics and strengthened his ties in Saudi business circles.

One key figure is Mohamed Al Khereiji, head of Saudi investment group SMC, which acquired Almeria last year from Turki Al-Sheikh.

Al Khereiji reportedly played a role in bringing Ronaldo to Saudi Arabia in the first place.

Their relationship has since deepened, and now it’s evolved into shared football interests in Spain.

Al Khereiji welcomed Ronaldo as both a football icon and someone who understands Spanish football intimately — a nod to Ronaldo’s deep knowledge of the league system and commercial landscape.

The Final Chapter of an Unmatched Playing Career

Ronaldo has already hinted that this summer’s World Cup will “definitely” be his last.

While he remains in extraordinary shape — perhaps the most finely tuned 41-year-old the game has seen — even he knows time eventually wins.

He once joked he could play another decade.

Realistically, he now admits there’s probably only a year or two left in his legs.

It’s not unusual for legends to ease into coaching or punditry.

Ownership, however, is rare territory.

Yet Ronaldo isn’t just any former player-in-waiting.

Like David Beckham with Inter Miami and Kylian Mbappe with SM Caen, Ronaldo has the financial muscle and global brand to step straight into board-level influence.

A Billionaire Athlete With Options

Ronaldo’s investment power is on another level.

According to Bloomberg, he is worth approximately £1.04 billion after adjustments for taxes and market performance.

His Saudi contract — reportedly around £177 million annually — made him the highest-paid player in football history.

He is also the first footballer included in Bloomberg’s Billionaires Index.

A lifetime deal with Nike, reportedly worth around £745 million, headlines a sponsorship portfolio that includes Tag Heuer, Armani, Louis Vuitton, Samsung, and others.

Add in business ventures, hospitality interests, and property investments, and a minority stake in a Segunda Division club may barely dent his finances.

The Luxury Life Off the Pitch

Away from football, Ronaldo continues to build an empire.

He is constructing a sprawling £28 million complex in Quinta da Marinha on the Portuguese Riviera — a project that has reportedly faced delays but promises to be one of the most extravagant private homes in Portugal.

Plans include a vast glass swimming pool with an underwater walkway and a master suite the size of a small apartment.

He’s frequently photographed wearing ultra-rare watches, including a Franck Muller Invisible Baguette Diamonds Imperial Tourbillon valued at over £1 million.

For Ronaldo, wealth isn’t just accumulated — it’s displayed.

From Manchester United Frustration to Ownership Ambition

Interestingly, Ronaldo’s desire to own a club became especially vocal after his turbulent second spell at Manchester United.

Following his explosive 2021 interview with Piers Morgan, in which he criticised the Glazer ownership and suggested deeper structural issues within the club, Ronaldo openly said that if he were owner, he would “make things clear and adjust things that are bad.”

At the 2024 Dubai Globe Soccer Awards, he compared the club’s issues to a sick fish repeatedly placed back into a contaminated aquarium — a metaphor that revealed how seriously he views governance and structure in modern football.

Now, instead of critiquing from the outside, he’ll get the chance to shape things from within.

Impact and Consequences

Ronaldo’s move could have several ripple effects:

First, commercially, Almeria’s global visibility will skyrocket.

Even a minority stake from Ronaldo guarantees international attention, sponsorship interest, and potentially improved recruitment leverage.

Second, it reinforces a growing trend of elite players transitioning directly into ownership roles.

This could inspire others nearing retirement to consider boardroom ambitions rather than coaching badges.

Third, it subtly shifts Ronaldo’s legacy conversation.

His rivalry with Messi dominated headlines for over a decade, but while Messi builds his American chapter with Inter Miami, Ronaldo is positioning himself as a European football stakeholder.

Finally, there’s strategic influence. With Saudi-backed investors increasingly active in global sport, Ronaldo’s involvement strengthens cross-border football business ties between Spain and the Gulf.

What’s Next?

Short term, Ronaldo remains focused on finishing his playing career strongly — likely culminating at the World Cup.

Medium term, expect him to increase involvement in Almeria’s sporting direction, youth development strategy, and commercial growth.

A 25 per cent stake leaves room for expansion.

It wouldn’t be surprising if he deepens his ownership position over time.

Long term? Don’t rule out multiple clubs under the CR7 umbrella.

Given his ambition and capital, Almeria could be just the beginning of a wider football investment portfolio.

Summary

Cristiano Ronaldo has turned words into action.

Three years after declaring an interest in club ownership, he has purchased a 25 per cent stake in UD Almeria.

The move signals preparation for retirement, a desire to influence football governance, and a natural evolution for one of the sport’s wealthiest and most driven figures.

It also marks his formal return to Spanish football — not as a superstar forward, but as a shareholder with long-term ambitions.

Bulleted Takeaways

• Cristiano Ronaldo has bought a 25 per cent stake in UD Almeria through CR7 Sports Investments.

• The move fulfills a public ambition he first voiced in 2023.

• His involvement reconnects him with Spanish football after nine years at Real Madrid.

• The deal strengthens ties between Saudi investors and European clubs.

• Ronaldo is reportedly worth over £1 billion, making the investment financially minor but strategically significant.

• He has hinted the upcoming World Cup will be his final tournament.

• Ownership places him among a small group of elite players like David Beckham and Kylian Mbappe who have moved into club investment.

• The move could dramatically raise Almeria’s global profile and commercial appeal.

• Ronaldo has previously criticised football ownership models, particularly at Manchester United.

• This may be the first step in a broader post-retirement football empire.