Cristiano Ronaldo Completes Strategic 25% Stake Purchase in UD Almería

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The landscape of Spanish football ownership has shifted significantly following the announcement that Cristiano Ronaldo has acquired a 25% stake in UD Almería. Confirmed on February 26, 2026, the move marks the Portuguese superstar’s first major venture into club ownership, completed through his newly established subsidiary, CR7 Sports Investments. The 41-year-old Al-Nassr forward joins an existing Saudi-led ownership group directed by Mohamed Al Khereiji, who took control of the club in mid-2025 via the SMC Group. While financial terms remain undisclosed, the partnership is being framed as a long-term strategic alliance designed to elevate the club's global commercial profile and sporting infrastructure.

​Ronaldo, the all-time leading scorer for Real Madrid, expressed that the investment fulfills a long-held ambition to contribute to the sport beyond his playing career. In an official statement, he highlighted UD Almería as a club with "strong foundations and clear potential for growth," emphasizing his desire to support the development of both the first team and the youth academy. President Mohamed Al Khereiji echoed this sentiment, noting that Ronaldo's unparalleled experience in La Liga and his global influence will be instrumental as the club enters its next phase of expansion. The timing is particularly noteworthy as UD Almería currently sits third in the Segunda División, locked in a tight battle for automatic promotion back to the top flight.

​This acquisition adds a prestigious footballing asset to Ronaldo’s diverse business portfolio, which already spans hospitality, fashion, and technology. By re-entering Spanish football in a boardroom capacity, Ronaldo follows the path of other high-profile active or recently retired players like Kylian Mbappé and Luka Modrić who have taken equity in European clubs. For UD Almería, the arrival of one of history's greatest players as a co-owner provides a significant psychological and commercial boost as they push to return to the Spotify Camp Nou and Santiago Bernabéu next season.