By Peter Omopo
Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo has expanded his footprint in the sport by acquiring a 25 per cent stake in Spanish second division side UD Almería through his newly formed company, CR7 Sports Investments.
The 41-year-old Al-Nassr forward described the move as the fulfilment of a long-standing ambition to contribute to football beyond his playing career.
In a statement, Ronaldo said he looked forward to working with the club’s leadership to support its next phase of growth, noting that Almería has strong foundations and clear potential for development.
The club is currently owned by a Saudi Arabian investment consortium led by Mohammed Al-Khereiji. The SMC Group, headed by Al-Khereiji, purchased the team last year from Turki Al-Sheikh.
Welcoming Ronaldo’s involvement, Al-Khereiji described him as one of the greatest players in football history, adding that his deep knowledge of Spanish football and understanding of the club’s long-term vision would be invaluable to both the first team and the academy.
Ronaldo’s move into ownership marks a return to Spain in a new capacity years after he left Real Madrid in 2018 for Juventus. He later joined Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr in 2022, where he currently earns a reported £177 million annually.
Founded in 1989, UD Almería are currently third in the Segunda División, two points behind league leaders Real Racing with 15 matches remaining this season.
Football analysts say Ronaldo’s investment could bring significant financial support, global visibility and commercial growth to the club, as well as technical expertise, particularly in youth development.
