Having won almost everything there is to achieve in his playing career, Cristiano Ronaldo has now bought a 25 per cent share in a club, having previously claimed he could “fix” Manchester United. The 41-year-old appears to have reconciled with his Saudi Pro League bosses after going on strike at the end of the January transfer window, following Public Investment Fund’s reluctance to invest in Al-Nassr as much as other clubs under their umbrella ownership.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner was back among the goals on Wednesday night, with his penalty breaking the deadlock in a 5-0 win over Al-Najma. As things stand, Ronaldo’s side sit top of the table, two points clear of second-placed Al-Ahli after 23 matches, suggesting the former Real Madrid superstar still has some distance to go before retirement.
However, as life after football edges nearer, where Ronaldo - and indeed his long-time adversary Lionel Messi - might be in five years’ time remains a hot topic. Many would bet their bottom dollar on the former moving into management at some stage, though his latest endeavour suggests club ownership could also be firmly on the agenda.
Ronaldo Now Owns 25% Share of Spanish Second Tier Side UD Almeria
Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo during the warm up
"It has been a longtime ambition of mine to contribute to football, beyond the pitch," the Al-Nassr and Portugal captain, who is now an active player and co-owner, said in a statement on Thursday morning, as per the Daily Mail.
"UD Almeria is a Spanish club with strong foundations and clear potential for growth. I look forward to working alongside the leadership team to support the club's next phase of growth."
The purchase figure hasn't been disclosed but marks Ronaldo's return to Spanish football after nine trophy-laden seasons at Real Madrid before he left for Juventus in the 2018 summer transfer window. His involvement also comes a year after the Spanish second division side were taken over by a Saudi investment group.
It is understood that Ronaldo has a close relationship with the group's leader, Mohamed Al Khereiji - who is reported to have helped facilitate his move to Al-Nassr in 2022 after his acrimonious exit from Old Trafford. The duo's first assignment at UD Almeria will be to get them promoted to La Liga. They currently sit third in Segunda on 48 points after 27 matches, two points off leaders Real Racing, with a further 15 games to go.
The Portuguese Icon Once Hinted at Running Things at Man Utd
Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo's transition into club ownership comes 14 months after he hinted at one day delving into that role at Man United, as he reflected on the struggles he faced during his second stint at the Theatre of Dreams. Speaking at the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards in December 2024, he said the club's troubles weren't just down to on-pitch issues - with the problems far greater than that.
"[The] Premier League is the most difficult league in the world," he said. "All the teams are good, all the teams fight, all the teams run, all the teams are strong. Football is different right now. There's no easy games any more. They need, I said this one year and a half ago, and I will continue to say it: The problem is not the coaches, it's like... I always give this example... it's like an aquarium.
"If you have the fish inside, and he's sick, and you take him out, and you fix the problem, and you put him in an aquarium, you will be sick again. The problem of Manchester United is the same. The problem is not always the coach. It's much more than that. If I will be the owner of the club, I will make things clear and adjust things that are bad there."
Those comments followed his now-infamous interview with Piers Morgan, where he alleged that co-owners Joel and Avram Glazer "don't care" about the club. He also slammed his then-manager Erik ten Hag for "lacking respect", and it proved to be the final nail in the coffin for his time at Man United before moving to the Middle East, unless he ever decides to return in a decision-making capacity like he had hinted.