Cristiano Ronaldo continues to expand his influence beyond the pitch. The Portuguese superstar has officially entered the world of football club ownership by acquiring a minority stake in Spanish club UD Almería.

The investment marks another step in Ronaldo’s growing business portfolio and reflects a broader trend of elite footballers becoming club investors.

A 25% STAKE IN THE CLUB

Cristiano Ronaldo purchased 25% of UD Almería, becoming a minority shareholder while the majority ownership remains with the Saudi investment group SMC Group.

The club continues to be controlled by Mohammed Al-Khereiji, whose company acquired the Spanish side in recent years.

Ronaldo’s role is therefore strategic rather than operational, positioning him as a partner within the club’s ownership structure.

THE INVESTMENT STRUCTURE

The investment was not made directly under Ronaldo’s personal name.

Instead, the deal was completed through CR7 Sports Investments, a company linked to Ronaldo’s broader holding structure.

The ownership chain follows a typical investment structure used by major athletes and entrepreneurs:

Cristiano Ronaldo
↓
CR7 SA (holding company)
↓
CR7 Sports Investments
↓
25% stake in UD Almería

This type of structure allows investors to manage assets more efficiently while separating personal wealth from corporate investments.

THE VALUE OF THE DEAL

The exact financial value of Ronaldo’s investment has not been officially disclosed.

However, industry estimates place the valuation of UD Almería somewhere between €100 million and €200 million.

Based on that range, Ronaldo’s 25% stake could represent an investment between €25 million and €50 million, although no official figure has been confirmed.

A STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH SAUDI INVESTORS

The investment also reflects Ronaldo’s growing relationship with Saudi football.
The majority shareholder of Almería, SMC Group, is a Saudi company with strong connections within the country’s sports industry.

Since Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr, the Portuguese star has become one of the most influential figures in Saudi football’s international expansion.

His presence in the ownership structure of a European club adds global visibility and commercial value to the project.

A LONG-TERM FOOTBALL BUSINESS STRATEGY

Ronaldo’s investment in Almería highlights a broader strategy often adopted by football legends.

Many former players are transitioning from athletes to club investors, including:

▪️David Beckham (Inter Miami)
▪️Ronaldo Nazário (Real Valladolid)
▪️Kylian Mbappé (SM Caen investment project)

By entering club ownership while still active as a player, Ronaldo is positioning himself for a future role within the football industry after his playing career.

WHY RONALDO CANNOT PLAY FOR ALMERÍA

Spanish regulations prevent active players from competing for clubs in which they hold ownership stakes.
This rule exists to avoid potential conflicts of interest.
As a result, Ronaldo’s involvement with Almería remains strictly as an investor and shareholder, not as a player.

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