MADRID – Cristiano Ronaldo is making moves off the pitch, and his latest venture brings him back to Spanish football, albeit in a surprising capacity. The 41-year-old Portuguese superstar has acquired a 25 percent ownership stake in UD Almería, a club currently competing in Spain’s second division, Liga Hypermotion. The investment, made through his CR7 Sports Investments company, marks Ronaldo’s first foray into club ownership and signals a growing ambition to influence the game beyond his playing career.
The move follows a similar path taken by another Real Madrid legend, Sergio Ramos, who has also expressed interest in owning a Spanish football club. Ronaldo’s decision to invest in Almería, a club recently taken over by a Saudi-led consortium, underscores the increasing financial influence of Saudi Arabian investment in European football.
“For a long time, my ambition has been to contribute to football beyond the pitch,” Ronaldo said in a statement released on Thursday, February 26, 2026. “UD Almería is a club with a solid foundation and clear potential for growth. I look forward to working with the management team to support the club’s next phase of growth.”
Almería currently sits third in Liga Hypermotion, two points off the top spot, making them strong contenders for promotion to La Liga. The club was fully acquired by a Saudi-led consortium in May 2025, setting the stage for Ronaldo’s investment. The Saudi Media Company, the operator of Al Nassr’s stadium, Mrsool Park, leads the ownership group through a subsidiary of Ronaldo’s investment brand, CR7 SA.
This investment comes after Ronaldo reportedly experienced some disagreement over the running of Al Nassr, leading him to miss three games for the Saudi Pro League side earlier this season. Upon his return to the field, he publicly stated his commitment to Saudi Arabia, saying he “belongs to Saudi Arabia.” This latest move suggests a desire to broaden his influence within the sport, extending beyond his current playing contract.
Mohamed Al-Khereiji, president of UD Almería, expressed his enthusiasm for Ronaldo’s involvement. “We are very happy 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.”
Ronaldo’s nine years with Real Madrid, where he won two La Liga titles and four Champions League trophies, undoubtedly inform his understanding of the Spanish football landscape. He was announced as football’s first billionaire in October 2025, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, earning over £175 million ($240m) annually from Al Nassr, alongside ventures in water, underwear, footwear, and fragrance, and partnerships with 18 brands including Nike. This financial success provides the capital for investments like the one in Almería.
The timing of Ronaldo’s investment coincides with similar moves by other footballing icons. Sergio Ramos, another former Real Madrid star, has reportedly place forward a proposal to acquire Sevilla FC, backed by Five Eleven Capital. The reported offer for Sevilla is around €450 million, demonstrating a growing trend of high-profile players seeking ownership stakes in clubs.
© georginagio Ronaldo and Al-Khereiji share a close relationship, with Al-Khereiji playing a key role in facilitating Ronaldo’s move to Al-Nassr following his departure from Manchester United. While the financial details of the Almería deal remain undisclosed, it clearly represents a long-term commitment from Ronaldo to football club ownership and a significant milestone in his career as an investor.
For fans of Spanish football, this investment adds another layer of intrigue to Liga Hypermotion. Almería’s promotion push now has the backing of one of the sport’s most recognizable figures. The club’s next match is against Real Racing on March 5, 2026, a crucial fixture in their quest for a top-two finish and a return to La Liga.
Ronaldo, who extended his contract with Al Nassr through June 2027 last summer, is also expected to captain Portugal at a record sixth World Cup later this year. Balancing his playing commitments with his new ownership role will be a challenge, but one he appears eager to embrace.
The increasing involvement of high-profile players in club ownership is reshaping the landscape of professional football. Whether this trend will lead to more sustainable and competitive leagues remains to be seen, but it’s clear that the game is entering a new era of player-investor influence.
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