Excitement as Ronaldo joins Spanish side Almeria as 25% owner

Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo has become a co-owner of Spanish second-division side UD Almería after acquiring a 25% share in the club.

The 41-year-old Al-Nassr forward made the move through his recently established CR7 Sports Investments company.

Almería, currently third in Spain’s Segunda División and just two points behind leaders Real Racing with 15 games remaining, is owned by a Saudi Arabian consortium led by Mohammed Al-Khereiji. Ronaldo said he is eager to work with the club’s leadership “to support the next phase of the club’s growth.” “It has been a long-held ambition of mine to contribute to football, beyond the pitch. UD Almería is a Spanish club with strong foundations and clear potential for growth”, the Portugal international said.

Al-Khereiji welcomed Ronaldo’s involvement, highlighting his experience in Spanish football.

“Ronaldo 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,” he said.

The club was acquired last year by Al-Khereiji’s SMC Group from Turki Al-Sheikh, chairman of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority.

Ronaldo himself spent nine years in Spain with Real Madrid, scoring 450 goals in 438 appearances, winning La Liga twice and lifting the Champions League four times, before moving to Juventus in 2018.

Since joining Al-Nassr in 2022, Ronaldo has become the best-paid player in football history, earning an annual salary of £177 million. His new role at Almería marks a significant step into club ownership while he continues his playing career in the Saudi Pro League.