UD Almería has confirmed a landmark investment, revealing that football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has joined the club’s ownership consortium.
In a statement released Thursday, the Spanish club said:
“Cristiano Ronaldo invests in UD Almería as part of the club ownership consortium led by SMC Group.”
Ronaldo’s entry comes through his company, CR7 Sports Investments, a subsidiary of CR7 S.A., acquiring a 25% stake in the club. The move signals a significant step in both UD Almería’s international expansion and Ronaldo’s growing portfolio of football investments.
“This agreement is part of the international expansion of the club being driven by President Mohamed Al Khereiji through his business holding SMC Group,” the club explained.
President Mohamed Al Khereiji expressed enthusiasm for the new partnership:
“We are very pleased that Cristiano has chosen to invest in our club. He is regarded as the greatest to ever play the game. He knows Spanish football very well and understands the potential of what we are building here, both in terms of the team and the academy.”
Ronaldo, 41, shared his personal motivation behind the move:
“It has been a long-held ambition of mine to contribute to football beyond just on the pitch. UD Almería is a Spanish club with strong foundations and clear potential for growth. I look forward to working alongside the leadership team to support the next phase of the club’s growth.”
Ronaldo’s connection to Spain is well-established after nine highly successful years at Real Madrid CF, where he became the club’s all-time leading scorer and won numerous domestic and European titles. His reputation and experience in Spanish football, combined with his global profile, are expected to provide a significant boost to UD Almería’s ambitions.
Currently playing for Al Nassr FC in Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo has fueled ongoing speculation about future involvement in Spanish football, whether as a player, investor, or ambassador—further underscoring his enduring influence in the sport.
