Madrid, February 26, 2026: Football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo announced on Thursday that he has acquired a 25% stake in UD Almeria, a Saudi-owned Spanish second-division club. The deal, managed through Ronaldo’s sports holding company CR7 Sports Investments, did not disclose financial details.
“This strategic investment in UD Almeria reflects Ronaldo’s long-term commitment to professional football ownership,” the company said in a statement. Ronaldo added, “It has been a long-time ambition of mine to contribute to football. I look forward to working alongside the leadership team to support the club’s next phase of growth.”
Almeria, last in La Liga in 2024, are currently third in the Spanish second division, just one point off the automatic promotion spots. The club, owned by the Saudi group SMC, has been praised by Ronaldo for its strong foundations and growth potential.
Almeria president Mohamed Al Khereiji indicated that Ronaldo will be particularly involved in the club’s youth programme. “He is considered the best on the pitch,” Al Khereiji said. “He knows the Spanish leagues very well and understands the potential of what we are building.”
Ronaldo, who has played in the Saudi Pro League for Al Nasser since 2023, also holds a stake in that club. Last October, he became the first footballer included in Bloomberg’s ‘Billionaire Index’.
The 41-year-old recently returned to Al-Nassr’s first team after a disagreement with the Public Investment Fund (PIF) over the winter transfer window and has scored four goals in the last three games. Ronaldo is expected to participate in his sixth FIFA World Cup next summer, which he has suggested could be his final World Cup.
