Soccer-Ronaldo buys 25% stake in Spanish second-tier club Almeria


FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Saudi Pro League - Al Kholood v Al Nassr - King Abdullah Sport City Stadium, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia - January 30, 2026 Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo reacts REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/File Photo

Feb 26 (Reuters) - Cristiano ⁠Ronaldo has acquired a 25% stake ⁠in Spanish second-tier side Almeria, the club ‌said on Thursday.

The Portuguese forward, who spent nine years at Real Madrid and is the club's all-time top ​goalscorer, invested in Almeria through ⁠his company CR7 Sports.

Almeria, ⁠who were relegated from LaLiga in 2023-24 and ⁠were ‌taken over by Saudi-based SMC Group in 2025, did not disclose the ⁠financial terms of the deal.

"The agreement ​is part ‌of the international expansion of the club ⁠driven by ​president Mohamed Al Kereiji through his business holding SMC Group," Almeria said in a statement.

Ronaldo, ⁠41, has been playing for Saudi ​Arabian top-flight club Al-Nassr since 2023.

"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," ​Ronaldo said in a ⁠statement shared by Almeria.

Almeria, who have one second-tier ​title in their trophy ‌cabinet, are currently third in ​the Spanish second division table.

(Reporting by Chiranjit Ojha in BengaluruEditing by Toby Davis)

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