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Portuguese football icon Cristiano Ronaldo has purchased a 25 per cent stake in Spanish second-division side UD Almería, marking a significant step in his growing off-field investments in football.
The development was confirmed on Thursday in a statement issued by consultancy firm Brunswick Group, which represents the five-time Ballon d’Or winner and cited by AfrikTimes. According to the statement, the acquisition was completed through Ronaldo’s investment vehicle, CR7 Sports Investments.
Ronaldo, currently plays for Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, which he joined at the end of 2022. He described the investment as the fulfilment of a long-held ambition to contribute to football beyond his playing career.
“It has been a long-time ambition of mine to contribute to football beyond the pitch. UD Almería is a Spanish club with strong foundations and clear potential for growth,” Ronaldo said.
Businessman Mohamed Al-Khereiji became the club’s owner and president in the summer of 2025 after acquiring it from Turki Al Alsheikh. Welcoming Ronaldo’s investment, Al-Khereiji said the club was pleased to have the Portuguese star on board.
“We are very pleased that Cristiano has chosen our club to invest in. He knows the Spanish leagues very well and understands the potential of what we are building here, both in terms of the team and the academy,” he said.
Almería currently sit third in Spain’s second division and were last in the top flight during the 2023/2024 season.
