Superstar forward Cristiano Ronaldo has become a co-owner of UD Almería after acquiring a 25 percent stake in the Spanish second-division side.
The 41-year-old Portugal captain purchased the shares through CR7 Sports Investments, a newly created subsidiary of his business portfolio. The financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
“It has been a longtime ambition of mine to contribute to football beyond the pitch,” said Ronaldo, who currently plays for Al-Nassr and leads the Portugal national football team. “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 development.”
The move marks Ronaldo’s return to Spanish football years after leaving Real Madrid in 2018, following a trophy-filled nine-year spell before joining Juventus.
Ronaldo’s investment comes a year after UD Almería was taken over by a Saudi-backed investment group. Club president Al Khereiji welcomed the partnership, expressing delight that Ronaldo chose to invest in the project.
“He is regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the game. He understands Spanish football very well and recognizes the potential of what we are building here, both with the first team and the academy,” he said.
