Cristiano Ronaldo buys 25% stake in UD Almeria, joins Mbappe among active player-owners

Al-Nassr forward Cristiano Ronaldo has purchased a 25 percent stake in Spanish second-tier club UD Almeria, according to Spanish outlet Marca.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner made the investment through CR7 Sports Investments, a new subsidiary of his business company CR7 SA.

Ronaldo joins Kylian Mbappe, N’Golo Kante and Luka Modric among active players who hold ownership stakes in professional clubs.

The purchase is considered a ‘strategic investment’ that reflects Ronaldo’s long-term commitment to owning a football club.

“I have long had the ambition to contribute to football beyond the field,” the Al-Nassr star said. “UD Almeria is a Spanish club with a strong foundation and clear growth potential.

“I look forward to working with the team that leads it to support the club in its new phase of growth.”

Almeria was acquired by the SMC group, a Saudi-based media and advertising company, last year.

Almeria president, Mohamed Al Khereiji, played a role in Ronaldo’s move to Al-Nassr and has now helped facilitate his investment in the club.

“We are very pleased that Cristiano has chosen our club to invest in,” Khereiji said.

“He is regarded as the best on the pitch, knows the Spanish leagues very well and understands the potential of what we are building here, both in the first team and in the youth academy.”

Almeria are second in La Liga 2, sitting one point adrift of an automatic qualification slot. Supporters will hope that Ronaldo’s arrival boosts the club’s long-term ambitions.