Cristiano Ronaldo Acquires 25% Stake in UD Almería.

Roger Hampel

Cristiano Ronaldo has acquired a 25% ownership stake in UD Almería, entering the shareholder structure of the Spanish second-division club through his investment vehicle CR7 Sports Investments.

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The deal is described as a long-term strategic investment rather than a passive shareholding.

Entry Into Club Ownership Cristiano Ronaldo

The move represents Ronaldo’s first confirmed minority stake in a European professional club. The 41-year-old forward has previously indicated his intention to pursue club ownership following his playing career.

In a statement, Ronaldo said:

“I have long had the ambition to contribute to football beyond the pitch. UD Almería is a Spanish club with a strong foundation and clear growth potential. I wish to work with the team leading the club to support it in its new phase of growth.”

UD Almería was acquired by a Saudi investment group in May 2025. Ronaldo’s minority participation introduces a globally recognisable sporting figure into the ownership structure while maintaining Saudi-led control.

Strategic Context

The investment comes at a time when Almería are competing for promotion back to LaLiga. Relegated in April 2024, the club currently sits third in Spain’s second division, two points behind leaders Racing Santander after 27 matches.

From a structural perspective, Ronaldo’s involvement adds brand leverage and international visibility to a club operating within Spain’s competitive second tier. Minority ownership by globally recognised athletes has become an increasingly common model in European football, often combining capital input with commercial upside in sponsorship, content and global fan engagement.

Almería president Mohamed al Khereiji welcomed Ronaldo’s entry into the ownership group, stating:

“He is considered the best on the pitch. He knows the Spanish leagues very well and understands the potential of what we are building here both in terms of the team and the youth academy.”

Multi-Market Positioning

Ronaldo currently plays for Al Nassr, having extended his contract through June 2027. His investment in Almería adds a cross-market dimension, linking the Saudi Pro League ecosystem with Spanish football through ownership alignment rather than player movement.