Cristiano Ronaldo has bought a 25% stake in UD Almería, stepping into club ownership for the first time and giving fans something big to talk about on February 26, 2026.
The 41-year-old Portuguese star made it official this morning through his company CR7 Sports Investments, a fresh arm of his holding group CR7 SA. Almería announced the deal on their channels, and Ronaldo followed up with a personal statement that sums up his thinking.
“I have long had the ambition to contribute to football beyond the pitch,” he said. “UD Almería is a Spanish club with a strong foundation and clear growth potential. I wish to work with the team leading the club to support it in its new phase of growth.”
This move comes while Ronaldo still laces up for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, where he has played since 2023. At 41, he shows no signs of slowing on the field – he keeps scoring and drawing crowds – but off it, he builds his next chapter.
Buying into a club marks a serious shift from endorsements, hotels, and his CR7 brand. He joins a Saudi-led ownership group headed by Mohamed Al Khereiji through SMC Group, which took full control of Almería back in May 2025.
Almería sit third in Spain’s Segunda División right now, just two points off the automatic promotion spots with plenty of games left. The team bounced between La Liga and the second tier in recent years, fighting to stay up before dropping down. With Ronaldo’s name attached, expectations rise fast.
Fans already dream of a quick return to the top flight, maybe even some star signings or extra attention from sponsors. The club’s president welcomed the investment warmly, calling it a boost for international reach and long-term plans.
Ronaldo spent nine memorable years at Real Madrid earlier in his career, smashing records and winning everything in sight. That connection to Spanish football adds extra flavour to this story.
Now he returns as part-owner rather than player, linking back to a league he knows inside out. The financial side stays under wraps – no numbers on the price or exact terms – but reports call it a strategic, long-haul play rather than a quick flip.
Social media lit up the second the news broke. Posts from Fabrizio Romano and club accounts spread like wildfire, racking up thousands of likes and shares. Supporters joke about Ronaldo turning Almería into the next big thing, while rivals tease that he’ll buy the whole league next.
Others point out the Saudi ties – Al-Nassr stadium operator links to the main owners – and wonder how his playing days in Riyadh mesh with this new role. Questions swirl about how hands-on he’ll get: will he show up at matches, push for transfers, or keep it mostly as an investor?
For Almería fans, this feels like a lifeline. The club has battled financial ups and downs, and a high-profile name like Ronaldo brings visibility, potential cash flow, and excitement.
Promotion would mean La Liga money and bigger crowds at Power Horse Stadium. If things go well, Ronaldo could help build something lasting beyond his playing retirement.
The timing hits perfect for Ronaldo too. As he eyes life after the pitch, owning part of a club lets him stay close to the game he loves. He has talked before about wanting to shape football from the boardroom one day. This step turns words into action.
Whether this turns Almería into promotion contenders or just adds shine to Ronaldo’s portfolio, the deal marks a fresh chapter. For now, the Portuguese legend trades goals for shares, and football fans watch closely to see what he builds next.
