Cristiano Ronaldo has taken a major step into football ownership, acquiring a 25% stake in Spanish club UD Almeria through his CR7 Sports Investments company. The deal gives one of the game’s most recognisable figures a significant foothold in the Spanish second division and signals his intention to shape the sport far beyond his playing days.

Financial details of the transaction have not been made public, but sources around the club describe it as a long-term strategic partnership rather than a short-term commercial play. Ronaldo, who has long spoken of his desire to own a club after retirement, framed the move as a natural evolution of his career.

“I have long had the ambition to contribute to football beyond the pitch,” he said in a statement released by the club. “UD Almeria is a Spanish club with a strong foundation and clear growth potential. I wish to work with the team leading the club to support it in its new phase of growth.”

Almeria, based in Andalusia, have undergone a rapid transformation in recent years following a takeover by a Saudi investment group. The club was relegated from LaLiga to the second division but has rebuilt with an eye on sustainable promotion, investing in infrastructure and a more modern sporting structure. They are currently in the promotion race and see Ronaldo’s arrival as a powerful endorsement of their project.

Head coach Juan Francesc Ferrer Rubi called the news “exciting for the entire club, the city and the province,” stressing that Ronaldo’s experience at the highest level could influence everything from recruitment to youth development. “Someone like him, with his extensive knowledge of sport and football, can really help a club like ours,” Rubi said.

Asked whether Ronaldo might one day play for Almeria, Rubi did not dismiss the idea, calling the prospect “extraordinary and wonderful,” while noting that such a decision would rest entirely with the Portuguese star.

Club president Mohamed al Khereiji hailed Ronaldo as “the best on the pitch” and highlighted his deep familiarity with Spanish football from his years at Real Madrid. He believes Ronaldo’s profile and insight can accelerate Almeria’s ambitions, particularly in building a stronger academy and expanding the club’s global reach.

For Ronaldo, still under contract with Al Nassr and preparing for another major international tournament with Portugal, the investment marks a clear statement: his influence in football is set to continue long after he stops scoring goals.