UD Almería has confirmed a major development in its ownership structure with the arrival of global football icon Cristiano Ronaldo as a shareholder.
The club announced on Thursday that Ronaldo has acquired a 25% stake in UD Almería through his subsidiary, CR7 Sports Investments, part of CR7 S.A., joining the existing consortium led by SMC Group.
The move is part of the club’s broader international expansion strategy under President Mohamed Al Khereiji.
Speaking on the development, Al Khereiji welcomed Ronaldo, saying, “We are very pleased that Cristiano has chosen to invest in our club.
He is regarded as the greatest to ever play the game and understands the potential of what we are building here, both in terms of the team and the academy.”
Ronaldo also shared his motivation for the investment: “It has been a long-held ambition of mine to contribute to football beyond just on the pitch.
UD Almería is a Spanish club with strong foundations and clear potential for growth. I look forward to working alongside the leadership team to support the next phase of the club’s development.”
At 41, Ronaldo continues to play professionally for Al Nassr FC in Saudi Arabia, with a career spanning over two decades at the highest level.
His nine-year spell at Real Madrid CF, where he became the club’s all-time leading scorer and won multiple domestic and European titles, cements his strong ties to Spanish football.
The investment in UD Almería signals Ronaldo’s growing role in football off the pitch, expanding his business footprint and contributing to the growth of a club with clear ambitions in Spanish football.
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