Cristiano Ronaldo has officially acquired a 25 percent stake in the Spanish football club UD Almeria, marking his entry into club ownership. The deal links him with a group led by the Saudi Media Company, which operates the stadium for his current team, Al Nassr. The acquisition comes through a subsidiary of Ronaldo’s investment brand, CR7 SA, as Almeria aims to bolster its performance in the Spanish second division.
Currently sitting in third place in the Segunda Division, Almeria is just two points from the top of the table and is vying for promotion back to La Liga. The club transitioned to Saudi ownership in May 2024, when it was fully acquired by the consortium led by Saudi investors. Ronaldo’s involvement comes after he faced internal disputes at Al Nassr, which caused him to miss three matches earlier this season. Upon his return, the Portuguese star expressed his contentment with his situation, stating he feels he “belongs to Saudi Arabia.”
As one of football’s most celebrated figures, Ronaldo previously spent nine years in Spain with Real Madrid from 2009 to 2018. During that time, he secured four Champions League titles and two La Liga championships. In a statement regarding his new role at Almeria, he emphasized his long-standing ambition “to contribute to football beyond the pitch.” He further noted, “UD Almeria is a club with a solid foundation and clear potential for growth,” indicating his eagerness to collaborate with the management team on future developments.
Ronaldo is recognized as football’s first billionaire, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. His annual earnings from Al Nassr exceed £175 million (approximately $240 million). His investment portfolio also includes ventures in water, underwear, footwear, and fragrances, alongside partnerships with major brands, including Nike. After joining Al Nassr in December 2022, he signed a new two-year contract in June 2024, which features a €50 million release clause.
Almeria’s Journey and Future Prospects
UD Almeria has a rich history in Spanish football, having first reached La Liga in 2007. The club has spent a total of seven seasons in the top-flight but was relegated again in 2024 after a brief return in 2022. Currently, they are positioned to compete for a place in the promotion play-offs.
In 2019, the club was acquired by Turki Al-Sheikh, a Saudi government official, who purchased shares from businessman Alfonso Garcia Gabarron. The ownership transitioned again at the end of the 2024-25 season, with a new group of Saudi investors led by Mohamed Al-Khereiji taking the reins. This change has fostered closer ties between Almeria and clubs in the Saudi Pro League, evidenced by a friendly match against Ronaldo’s Al Nassr in August 2024, which Almeria won 3-2, with Ronaldo scoring two goals.
The club has also gained a reputation for successfully developing and selling players for substantial transfer fees. Notably, Colombian forward Luis Suarez was sold to Sporting CP for €22 million (around $26 million), while Marc Pubill, a promising full-back, joined Atletico Madrid for €16 million in the previous summer. As Almeria embarks on this new chapter under Ronaldo’s influence, the potential for growth and success is considerable, both on and off the pitch.
