The king of the Champions League is officially back in Spanish football—but this time, he's wearing a suit. On Thursday, February 26, 2026, it was officially confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo has acquired a 25% stake in the Spanish second-division side UD Almería.
Investing through his newly formed subsidiary, CR7 Sports Investments, the 41-year-old Al-Nassr superstar has taken his first major step into club ownership.
The move reunites him with the Spanish leagues where he spent nine legendary years at Real Madrid.
The "Saudi Connection": Why Almería?
The deal was made possible by Ronaldo's close ties in the Middle East. Almería is currently owned by the SMC Group, led by Saudi businessman Mohamed Al Khereiji, who also owns the stadium where Ronaldo plays for Al-Nassr.
The Vision: Ronaldo will work alongside Al Khereiji to focus on the club’s international expansion and the development of its youth academy.
Promotion Push: Almería currently sits 3rd in the Segunda División, just one point off the automatic promotion places. Ronaldo's investment is seen as the final "boost" needed to return the club to La Liga.
The "Billionaire" Owner: Following his inclusion in Bloomberg’s "Billionaire Index" last October, this move signals Ronaldo’s transition into a full-scale sports mogul.
Ronaldo’s Official Statement: Beyond the Pitch
"It has been a long-time ambition of mine to contribute to football beyond 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 growth."
The Verdict: While Ronaldo is still chasing his 1,000th career goal in Saudi Arabia (he's currently at 965!), this move effectively secures his post-retirement legacy. Almería fans are already dreaming of a "one last dance" as a player-owner, but for now, his focus is purely on the boardroom.