Cristiano Ronaldo Buys Stake in Saudi-Owned Second-Tier Spanish Club

Almeria: Cristiano Ronaldo has purchased a stake in Spanish second division club Almeria, a consultancy firm representing the Portuguese football star said on Thursday.

Brunswick Group said in a statement that it purchased 25 percent of the shares of the club owned by Ronaldo from Saudi Arabia.

Ronaldo, 41, moved to Saudi Arabia to play for Al-Nassr at the end of 2022.

“Contributing to football beyond the field has been something I have long desired. UD Almeria is a Spanish club with strong foundations and clear growth potential,” Ronaldo said in a statement. he said.

According to Brunswick Group, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner has acquired the shares in Almeria through its CR7 Sports Investments subsidiary.

Almeria was under the control of its Saudi Arabian owners for more than six years. Mohamed Al-Khereiji became the new owner and president of the club, which he purchased from Turki Al Sheikh in the summer of 2025.

“We are very pleased that Cristiano chose our club to invest,” Al-Khereiji said in a statement.

“He knows the Spanish leagues very well and understands the potential of what we are building here, both in terms of the team and the academy.”

Financial details were not disclosed.

Almeria did not immediately respond to an email request from The Associated Press seeking more details about the deal.

Almeria currently sits third in the Spanish second division. He last appeared in the majors in 2023-24.