Cristiano Ronaldo has taken his first significant stride into football club ownership by acquiring a 25% stake in Unión Deportiva Almería, the Spanish second-division side currently competing in LaLiga Hypermotion, it was announced Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026.

Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo

The deal, finalized through Ronaldo's newly established CR7 Sports Investments — a subsidiary of his parent company CR7 SA — positions the 41-year-old Portuguese superstar as a co-owner of the club. Almería, based in southern Spain, sits third in the Segunda División table, just two points off the promotion spots with a strong chance of returning to La Liga next season.

Ronaldo, who continues to excel as a player for Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr, described the investment as the fulfillment of a longtime ambition. "It has been a longtime ambition of mine to contribute to football, beyond the pitch," he said in a statement released Thursday morning. "This is an exciting opportunity to help build and grow a club with great potential."

The move comes one year after Almería was acquired by a Saudi investment group led by Mohamed Al Khereiji, a businessman and close associate of Ronaldo. Al Khereiji played a key role in facilitating Ronaldo's high-profile transfer to Al-Nassr in December 2022, and their relationship has strengthened since. The connection has fueled speculation that Ronaldo's involvement could deepen strategic ties between Saudi interests and Spanish football.

Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed, but reports indicate the stake represents a meaningful entry for Ronaldo into executive football roles. CR7 Sports Investments was formed specifically to manage his expanding sports business portfolio, which already includes endorsements, hotels and other ventures.

Almería's current trajectory adds intrigue to the investment. Promoted to La Liga in 2022 after a six-year absence, the club suffered relegation last season but has rebounded strongly under new ownership. A return to the top flight would pit Almería against Ronaldo's former club Real Madrid, where he spent nine trophy-laden years from 2009 to 2018, scoring 450 goals in 438 appearances and winning four Champions Leagues.

Ronaldo's ownership debut follows a pattern among football icons transitioning from playing careers. Figures like David Beckham (Inter Miami), Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney (Wrexham) and Thierry Henry (former stake in MLS clubs) have leveraged fame and capital to influence clubs. Ronaldo's global brand — bolstered by more than 700 million social media followers — could significantly boost Almería's visibility, sponsorship opportunities and commercial revenue.

The club welcomed the partnership enthusiastically. Sources close to Almería described Ronaldo's involvement as a "game-changer" for branding and international appeal, particularly in markets across Asia, the Middle East and Europe. His presence is expected to attract new fans, enhance youth development initiatives and potentially open doors for talent recruitment.

Ronaldo remains under contract with Al-Nassr through 2025, with reports suggesting he could extend or play beyond that. The ownership stake does not involve any playing commitment to Almería; instead, it signals a shift toward post-playing influence in the sport he has dominated for two decades.

The announcement drew widespread attention across global media, with outlets like Daily Mail, OneFootball, Tribuna and Yahoo Sports highlighting the Saudi-backed connections and potential for promotion drama. Fans on social media reacted with excitement, many speculating on how Ronaldo's business acumen might elevate the club.

Almería's stadium, Power Horse Stadium, seats about 15,000 and could see upgrades or expansions if promotion materializes. The club's focus on youth academy development aligns with Ronaldo's emphasis on nurturing talent, as seen in his academies and philanthropy work.

This investment adds another layer to Ronaldo's off-field empire, which includes CR7-branded hotels, fashion lines, gyms and a stake in other ventures. It also reflects growing Saudi influence in European football, following high-profile investments in Newcastle United and other entities.

As Almería pushes for promotion in the second half of the 2025-26 season, Ronaldo's stake injects fresh momentum. Whether it leads to deeper involvement or remains a minority position, the move cements his transition from pitch icon to influential stakeholder in the beautiful game.

For now, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner continues scoring prolifically in Saudi Arabia while quietly building a legacy beyond his legendary playing days.