Spain

Ronaldo Buys 25% Stake in Spanish Club UD Almeria

Is Ronaldo's Almeria stake a strategic path to major club ownership or a risky investment with uncertain returns?

Published FEB 27

Ronaldo Buys 25% Stake in Spanish Club UD Almeria

Story

Above: Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Mamlakah Arena Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Jan. 12. Image credit: Mohammed Saad/Anadolu/Getty Images

The Facts

Cristiano Ronaldo has acquired a 25% ownership stake in Spanish second division club UD Almeria through his CR7 Sports Investments company. The financial terms of the transaction have not been disclosed, but the deal is considered a long-term strategic investment.
FOX News
ESPN
Almeria has been under Saudi Arabian ownership for more than six years. Mohamed Al-Khereiji became the new owner and president of the club in the summer of 2025 when he bought it from Turki Alalshikh.
Al Jazeera
Daily Sabah
CBS Sports
Ronaldo stated he has long had the ambition to contribute to football beyond the pitch. He described Almeria as a Spanish club with strong foundations and clear growth potential, expressing his desire to work with the leadership team to support the club's next phase of growth.
guardian
Asharq Al-Awsat
Almeria manager Rubi said Ronaldo becoming a shareholder is exciting news for the entire club and the city. He stated that if Ronaldo wanted to continue playing, he would be received with open arms regardless of who the coach is.
ESPN
Goal.com
Firstpost on Facebook
Almeria is currently in third place in Spain's second division, two points adrift of leaders Racing Santander after 27 games. The club was relegated from La Liga in 2024 and is on course to gain a promotion to Spain's top flight this season.
Daily Sabah
ESPN
According to the 2025 Forbes ranking, Ronaldo generated almost $210 million on and off the field, with just over $50 million coming from his non-football business interests. His diverse portfolio includes holdings in a water brand, a healthy-living app and a recovery products company.
FOX News
BBC News
The Times of India

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

Ronaldo's Almeria investment proves elite athletes can transition from players to owners while still competing. His 25% stake through CR7 Sports Investments demonstrates a serious commitment to club ownership beyond mere financial speculation. This move positions him perfectly to eventually acquire a major club like Manchester United, where he's already outlined plans to fix systemic problems.

The Portugal News

Daily Mirror

Narrative B

Owning a professional sports team carries significant risk for any limited‑partner investor — it isn't a guaranteed cash cow. Limited partners shouldn't buy a club thinking they'll get a distribution; many owners never see regular payouts. Teams are not recession‑proof, merely resistant to normal economic cycles, with revenues that can dip in downturns and demand careful, long‑term stewardship.

The New York Times