It has been announced that Cristiano Ronaldo has purchased a 25% share in UD Almeria, the team playing in the Spanish second tier.
Recently, Cristiano Ronaldo has officially become a co-owner of UD Almeria. The club, which plays in the Spanish second division, announced that the Portuguese superstar has acquired a 25% stake through CR7 Sports Investments, a newly established subsidiary company of his.
"For a long time, I have wanted to contribute to football in a different way, not just on the pitch," Ronaldo stated in the announcement. "UD Almeria is a Spanish club with a solid foundation and clear potential for growth. I look forward to collaborating with the leadership to support the club in its next phase of development."
The financial details of the deal were not disclosed, but this marks Ronaldo's return to Spanish football, following his nine trophy-filled seasons with Real Madrid before his transfer to Juventus in the summer of 2018.
Notably, this transaction occurs just one year after Almeria was taken over by a Saudi Arabian investment group. Ronaldo is believed to have a close relationship with the group's head, Mohamed Al Khereiji, who is credited with facilitating his move to Al Nassr in 2022, after his controversial departure from Manchester United.
UD Almeria's President, Mohamed Al Khereiji, expressed his satisfaction: "We are delighted that Cristiano has chosen to invest in the club. He is considered the greatest player in history, has a deep understanding of Spanish football, and sees the potential in the project we are building, both for the first team and the academy."
With this move, Ronaldo not only continues his influence on the pitch but also embarks on a new journey as an investor in the football world.
It is noteworthy that there had previously been numerous reports suggesting Ronaldo had plans to acquire Valencia, the historic Spanish club competing in La Liga. However, as of now, these speculations remain unconfirmed and have not received any official verification from the involved parties.