Cristiano Ronaldo Acquires 25% Stake in UD Almeria
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
New Delhi, Feb 26 (NationPress) Renowned Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo has made a significant move in the world of Spanish football by acquiring a 25% ownership stake in the second-tier team UD Almeria, which is currently under the ownership of Saudi Arabian investors. The forward for Al Nassr facilitated this investment through his subsidiary, CR7 Sports, as part of a club ownership consortium spearheaded by SMC Group.
In a statement issued by UD Almeria following the acquisition, Ronaldo shared his motivation for investing in the club:
"It has long been my goal to make a contribution to football, beyond my performance on the field. UD Almeria boasts a solid foundation and significant growth potential. I eagerly anticipate collaborating with the management team to foster the club's next phase of development," said the Portuguese legend.
The president of Almeria, Mohammed Al Khereiji, expressed his appreciation for Ronaldo's investment in the organization.
"He is widely recognized as the greatest football player in history, possesses extensive knowledge of Spanish football, and understands the potential of what we are constructing here, both in terms of the team and the academy," Khereiji stated in a club announcement.
Currently competing in Spain's Segunda Division, Almeria is positioned third in the league and is striving for promotion to the top tier.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo continues to excel with Al Nassr. At the age of 41, he recently became the club's all-time leading scorer, marking his 121st goal for the team on Wednesday.
Ronaldo has an impeccable record against Almeria. During his tenure at Real Madrid, he faced Almeria seven times, scoring seven goals in those matches. He also played in a summer friendly with Al Nassr, where they narrowly defeated Almeria 3-2.
The Portuguese superstar remains under contract with Al Nassr until 2027, having netted 22 goals in 25 games this season.