Madrid, Spain – February 26, 2026 — Football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has taken a significant step into club ownership by purchasing a 25% stake in UD Almería, a club competing in Spain's Segunda División (second tier). The deal, announced on Thursday, February 26, 2026, marks the 41-year-old Portuguese forward's entry into football management beyond his playing career and fulfills what he described as a "longtime ambition" to contribute to the sport off the pitch.
Ronaldo acquired the minority stake through his newly established CR7 Sports Investments company, a subsidiary of his broader business holdings under CR7 S.A. The transaction joins him with the club's existing majority owners, a Saudi Arabian investment consortium led by businessman Mohamed Al-Khereiji and the SMC Group (Saudi Media Corporation). Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed by either party or representatives, including the Brunswick Group consulting firm that issued a statement on Ronaldo's behalf.
In a statement released through his representatives, Ronaldo expressed enthusiasm for the investment. "It has been a longtime ambition of mine to contribute to football, beyond the pitch," he said. "UD Almería is a Spanish club with strong foundations and clear potential for growth. I look forward to working alongside the leadership team to support the club’s next phase of growth." The move is framed as a long-term strategic investment aimed at supporting the club's development, including its academy and infrastructure, as it pushes for promotion back to La Liga.
UD Almería, officially Unión Deportiva Almería, currently sits third in the Segunda División table, just points away from the automatic promotion spots. The club was relegated from La Liga at the end of the 2023-24 season after a challenging campaign. It came under full Saudi ownership in May 2025 when the SMC Group completed its takeover, marking a shift toward greater investment and ambition in line with broader Saudi interests in global football.
Ronaldo's involvement adds a high-profile dimension to the club's ownership structure. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner, who spent nine highly successful years at Real Madrid (2009–2018) where he became the club's all-time leading goalscorer with 450 goals in 438 appearances, returns to Spanish football in an ownership capacity. His current playing stint is with Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, where he has been since January 2023 and recently extended his contract through June 2027. Notably, Ronaldo already holds a minority stake in Al-Nassr, aligning his investment portfolio with his professional environment in Saudi Arabia.
The acquisition comes amid Ronaldo's expanding business empire. Recognized as the first active footballer to feature on Bloomberg's Billionaire Index in October 2025, his ventures span endorsements, fashion, hotels (Pestana CR7), fitness, and tech investments including Whoop, Perplexity AI, and Bioniq. CR7 Sports Investments represents a dedicated vehicle for his growing interest in sports ownership and management.
Reports from major outlets including BBC Sport, ESPN, The Guardian, Al Jazeera, Reuters, and The Athletic confirm the 25% stake and emphasize the strategic nature of the partnership. The deal positions Ronaldo as a co-owner alongside the Saudi-led group, potentially influencing decisions on transfers, youth development, and long-term planning as Almería aims to reclaim top-flight status.
This development follows Ronaldo's public comments in late 2024 expressing intentions to one day own or lead a major club, sparking speculation about future ambitions, including potential involvement with Manchester United where he previously played. For now, the focus remains on Almería's immediate goals in the Segunda División, where promotion would represent a significant achievement under the new ownership dynamic.
The announcement has generated widespread excitement among fans and analysts, highlighting Ronaldo's transition from on-field icon to influential off-field figure in football. As the club continues its campaign, Ronaldo's involvement is expected to bring added visibility, resources, and motivation to the project.
