Cristiano Ronaldo has taken his first step into club ownership by buying a 25% stake in Spanish side Almeria.
The 41-year-old is still going strong on the pitch – he scored last night in Al-Nassr’s 5-0 win at Al-Najmah – but has started planning for life after retirement.
His newly formed CR7 Sports Investments company has bought a quarter of Almeria, who are third in the Segunda Division, just two points off top spot.
Promotion would see them come up against Ronaldo’s former club Real Madrid next season.
“It has been a longtime ambition of mine to contribute to football, beyond the pitch,” Ronaldo said.
“UD Almeria 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 growth.”
Ronaldo to work alongside Saudi consortium
Ronaldo’s decision to choose Almeria was influenced by the club’s takeover last year by a group of Saudi investors headed by Mohamed Al Khereiji, who is reportedly a close associate of the player.
Al Khereiji is Almeria president and is delighted to have Ronaldo on board.
He said: “We are very pleased that Cristiano has chosen our club to invest in.
“He 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.”
Ronaldo happy at Al-Nassr after fall-out
It has also been claimed in the Spanish media that Ronaldo will look to end his career with Almeria once his Al-Nassr contract expires in June 2027.
The ex-Manchester United and Juventus striker has had a well-publicised falling out with Al-Nassr and part owners the Public Investment Fund this year, going on strike to show his displeasure at a lack of January investment.
However, in a recent interview he indicated the issue is now closed.
“I’m very happy,” he told Saudi broadcaster Thmanyah. “As I say so many times, I belong to Saudi Arabia.
“It’s a country that has welcomed me very well, and my family and my friends. I’m happy here, I want to continue here.
“The most important thing is we keep pushing [for the league title], we are there at the top. We do our job, we win, make pressure, let’s see at the end of the season.”
