Cristiano Ronaldo has acquired a 25 percent stake in Spanish football club UD Almería, marking a significant expansion of the Portugal forward’s growing business interests and further linking European football with Saudi-backed investment.

The move makes Ronaldo a minority shareholder in the Andalusian club, which is owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund-linked interests.

The investment underscores the 39-year-old’s deepening engagement with the Saudi sports sector since joining Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr in 2023.

Almería, based in southern Spain, has sought to strengthen its financial position and competitive standing in Spanish football in recent seasons.

The addition of Ronaldo as a shareholder is expected to boost the club’s global profile and commercial reach, particularly in markets across the Middle East and Asia.

Sources close to the transaction indicate that the deal reflects Ronaldo’s long-term strategic interest in football ownership and sports development, aligning with broader Saudi ambitions to expand influence in global sport through targeted investment and partnerships.

Saudi Arabia has significantly increased its footprint in international football in recent years, attracting high-profile players to its domestic league while also pursuing stakes in European clubs and competitions.

The kingdom’s leadership has framed these investments as part of a wider economic diversification strategy aimed at developing sports, tourism and entertainment sectors.

Ronaldo’s involvement is likely to intensify commercial collaboration between Almería and Saudi-based sponsors and institutions.

Analysts note that minority stakes by globally recognised athletes can drive brand value and open new revenue streams, particularly in sponsorship and digital engagement.

The acquisition positions Ronaldo not only as a leading on-field figure in Saudi football but also as a participant in the evolving ownership landscape connecting Gulf capital and European clubs.