At 41 years old, most footballers are long retired. Cristiano Ronaldo is preparing for the 2026 World Cup and simultaneously stepping into club ownership.
On February 26, 2026, Ronaldo officially acquired a 25% minority stake in UD Almería, a Spanish club currently fighting for promotion from Segunda División to La Liga.
It’s a full circle moment. After nine legendary years in Spain with Real Madrid, Ronaldo is back in Spanish football but this time in the director’s box, not on the pitch.
And there’s a twist: because of Spanish law, he can never play for UD Almería as long as he owns that stake.
The Deal: Who Owns What ?
Here’s how the ownership structure now looks:
| Owner | Stake | Investment Vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| Mohamed Al-Khereiji | 75% | SMC Group |
| Cristiano Ronaldo | 25% | CR7 Sports Investments |
Ronaldo’s investment was made through his newly formed company, CR7 Sports Investments.
The majority owner, Mohamed Al-Khereiji, is a Saudi businessman who acquired the club in May 2025 for approximately €100 million. He also heads SMC Group, which owns Al-Awwal Park the home stadium of Ronaldo’s current club, Al-Nassr.
This wasn’t a random investment. It was built on an existing relationship.
Why UD Almería ?
On the surface, it might seem surprising that Cristiano Ronaldo would invest in a 2nd division Spanish club.
But strategically, it makes sense.
1. Promotion Potential
UD Almería currently sits in automatic promotion contention.
After their latest win, they climbed into second place just two points behind leaders Racing Santander.
If they secure promotion, they’ll return to La Liga for the 2026–27 season.
For Ronaldo, that means exposure at the highest level without ever needing to lace up his boots.
2. Youth Academy Focus
Club president Al-Khereiji confirmed Ronaldo will be actively involved in developing the club’s youth academy.
Think about the recruitment pitch:
“You’ll be trained at a club co owned by Cristiano Ronaldo.”
For young players around the world, that’s powerful.
3. The Active Ownership Trend
Ronaldo joins stars like Kylian Mbappé (who owns SM Caen) in becoming owners while still active players.
The era of footballers as passive investors is over. Today’s superstars want control.
The “Anti-Piqué Law” Twist
Here’s where things get complicated.
In February 2025, Spain passed an amendment to its Sports Law informally known as the “Anti-Piqué Law.”
The rule is simple:
An active athlete cannot hold a significant ownership stake in a club competing in a league they participate in.
Under Article 47, Ronaldo is legally barred from registering as a player for UD Almería or any Spanish club as long as he owns 25%.
Even if Almería earns promotion to La Liga, he cannot play for them unless he sells his shares.
It’s one of football’s great ironies. While fans dream of Ronaldo leading Almería onto the pitch, the very law named after his former rival prevents it.
The Ronaldo Effect: Immediate Impact
The business impact was instant.
Within 12 hours of the announcement:
- 1.2 million new social media followers
- Ticket sales surged, with key matches nearly sold out
- Global search interest skyrocketed
- International sponsorship inquiries began flowing in
UD Almería transformed from a regional Spanish club into a global talking point overnight.
Power Horse Stadium, which holds roughly 15,000 fans, is already feeling the pressure. Upcoming fixtures are nearing sell out status especially the high-stakes clash against Castellón that could determine automatic promotion.
More Than Football: The Billionaire Pivot
Last October, Cristiano Ronaldo was officially added to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index becoming the first footballer to reach that milestone.
His portfolio already includes:
- A global Pestana CR7 hotel chain
- Investments in Perplexity AI
- A stake in wearable tech company Whoop
UD Almería is his first direct football asset.
This isn’t just retirement planning.
It’s phase two of the CR7 brand.
Can Ronaldo Ever Play for UD Almería ?
As of February 27, 2026: zero chance.
Here’s why:
- The Anti Piqué Law prohibits active owner players.
- Spanish federation (RFEF) and La Liga regulations would reject his registration.
- He is under contract with Al-Nassr until June 2027.
The only realistic scenario where he appears in an Almería shirt would be a testimonial or legends match not official competition.
The Promotion Race: What Happens Next ?
The Segunda División table is extremely tight:
| Rank | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Racing Santander | 50 |
| 2 | UD Almería | 48 |
| 3 | Castellón | 49 |
Every match now carries global attention.
Key upcoming fixtures include:
- Feb 27 vs Albacete (Away) — first match post-announcement
- March 9 vs Cultural Leonesa (Home) — possible first home appearance in the owner’s box
- April 1 vs Castellón (Home) — potentially decisive for promotion
If Ronaldo appears in the stands, global TV numbers for the Segunda División could hit record highs.
A Full-Circle Moment
Cristiano Ronaldo’s statement captured the shift:
“It has been a long held ambition of mine to contribute to football beyond the pitch… UD Almería is a Spanish club with strong foundations and clear potential for growth.”
For UD Almería, this is about visibility, credibility, and capital.
For Cristiano Ronaldo, it’s about legacy.
He conquered Spain as a player.
Now, he’s investing in its future.
From Pitch to Power
UD Almería just became one of the most watched clubs outside Europe’s top five leagues.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s 25% stake represents :
- A strategic business move
- A branding masterstroke
- A sign of football’s ownership evolution
- And a clear pivot from superstar athlete to global sports investor
He may never wear the Almería shirt.
But his presence alone could carry the club back to La Liga.
And this time, the cameras will be pointed at the director’s box.