In December 2024, during the prestigious Dubai Globe Soccer Awards, global football icon Cristiano Ronaldo publicly expressed his ambition to one day own a football club in Europe. At the time, many viewed it as another long-term dream from a player who has already achieved nearly everything on the pitch. However, just 14 months later, that vision has turned into reality.
Ronaldo has officially taken his first step into football ownership by becoming a co-owner of UD Almería, a club competing in the second division of Spain. The Portuguese superstar has acquired a 25 percent stake in the club, marking a significant milestone in his post-playing career ambitions.
Speaking about his new role, Ronaldo shared that contributing to football beyond his playing days has always been a personal goal.
“It has been a long-time dream of mine to contribute to football in some way off the pitch,” Ronaldo stated. “Almería is a club with enormous potential for growth. I am ready to offer every possible support to help the club reach the highest level.”
His involvement is expected to go beyond financial backing. Ronaldo brings with him not only global influence but also deep knowledge of elite football structures, player development, branding, and commercial growth.
Almería’s president, Al Khowarezmi, welcomed the move and expressed confidence in what Ronaldo’s presence means for the club’s future.
“Cristiano Ronaldo is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in football history,” he said. “He has excellent knowledge of Spanish football, and he understands the potential behind our long-term vision for the first team and youth academy.”
The leadership believes Ronaldo’s strategic input will help accelerate the club’s ambition of returning to top-flight football and establishing long-term stability.
While this may be Ronaldo’s first step into football ownership, his journey as a businessman is far from new. His entrepreneurial path began in 2016 when he launched his first hotel in his hometown of Madeira. Since then, he has steadily built a diverse investment portfolio.
Over the years, Ronaldo has expanded into multiple industries, including bottled water, fragrances, underwear, hair transplant clinics, fitness centers, and footwear. His CR7 brand has evolved into a global commercial powerhouse, reflecting his long-term vision of life beyond football.
This move into club ownership appears to be a natural progression. With experience in branding, business expansion, and sports performance culture, Ronaldo is uniquely positioned to help shape Almería’s future both on and off the pitch.
For Almería, the partnership offers global visibility and credibility. For Ronaldo, it represents the beginning of a new chapter — transitioning from football legend to football architect.
As he prepares for life after his playing career, Ronaldo’s investment signals a clear message: his influence in football is far from over. Now, instead of dominating matches, he may soon be helping to build teams capable of doing the same.
