Cristiano Ronaldo scored the first goal of Al-Nassr’s 5-0 win over Al-Najma in a Saudi Pro League match Wednesday in Unaizah. Photo by Ali Haider/EPA-EFE
Portuguese soccer icon Cristiano Ronaldo purchased a 25% ownership stake in Spanish club Almeria, the La Liga 2 team announced Thursday.
Ronaldo, who plays for the Saudi Arabian-owned Al-Nassr, purchased the stake through CR7 Sports Investments.
“For a long time, my ambition has been to contribute to football beyond the pitch,” Ronaldo said in a news release. “UD Almeria have strong foundations and clear growth potential.
“I look forward to working with the leadership team to support the club’s next phase.”
The SMC Group, a Saudi Arabian investment consortium led by Mohamed Al Khereiji, purchased the club in May.
“We’re very pleased that Cristiano has chosen our Club to invest in,” Al Khereiji said. ‘He is considered the greatest player in history, knows Spanish football extremely well and understands the potential we are building both in the first team and at academy level.”
Almeria (14-7-6) sits in third place in La Liga 2, also known as the Segunda Division, behind first-place Racing (15-7-5) and second-place Castellon (14-6-7).
The Red and Whites will battle Albacete at 2:30 p.m. EST Friday in Albacete, Spain.
Ronaldo, 41, scored the first goal of Al-Nassr’s 5-0 win over fellow Saudi Pro League club Al-Najma on Wednesday in Unaizah. They will take on Al-Fayha in another league match at 2 p.m. Saturday in Al Majma’ah.
Al-Nassr (19-3-1) sits in first place in the Saudi Pro League standings, two points ahead of Al-Ahli.
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