Cristiano Ronaldo has invested in a Spanish football clubplaceholder image
Cristiano Ronaldo has invested in a Spanish football club | Getty Images
The Man Utd legend has invested in a Spanish football club with connections to Saudi Arabia.
Cristiano Ronaldo has purchased a 25 percent stake in Spanish second division club UD Almeria.
The Manchester United legend and current Al Nassr forward has invested in the Spanish side through his CR7 Sports Investments company. Ronaldo has not disclosed how much the investment is worth, but it is considered a long-term strategic investment by the Portuguese international.
Ronaldo, 41, has previously expressed a desire to own a football club as he looks to stay involved with the game when he eventually retires. Last summer, he signed a contract extension with Al Nassr until June 2027, and he is set to make history when he captains Portugal at a record sixth World Cup this summer.
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Ronaldo sends message after Almeria investment
Cristiano Ronaldo says it was a 'longtime ambition' to become a part-owner of a football club after his stake in UD Almeria was confirmed on Thursday morning.
Almeria have been under Saudi ownership for the past six years and have joined forces with Ronaldo, who is the leading name in the Saudi Pro League. Saudi businessman Mohamed al-Khereiji became the owner and president of the Spanish club last year when he bought it from head of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, Turki Alalshikh.
In a statement released after the investment was announced, Manchester United legend Ronaldo said: “It has been a longtime ambition of mine to contribute to football, beyond the pitch. UD Almeria is a Spanish club with strong foundations and clear potential for growth."
Those thoughts were echoed by Al Khereiji, who added: "He is considered the best on the pitch. 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 youth academy."
Almeria are on course to gain promotion back to La Liga at the end of the season after they were relegated to the second division in April 2024. They currently sit third in the table, two points behind league leaders Racing Santander after 27 games.
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