Cristiano Ronaldo now owns popular Spanish football club

Football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has become a club owner in Spain after purchasing a 25 per cent share in Segunda División side UD Almería.

The 41-year-old forward, who currently plays for Al-Nassr, made the move through his newly formed CR7 Sports Investments company.

Ronaldo joins a Saudi Arabian investment group led by Mohammed Al-Khereiji as part of the ownership structure of the Spanish club. Though the financial details of the deal were not made public, the Portuguese icon said he is eager to help drive the club’s next phase of growth.

“It has been a long-held ambition of mine to contribute to football beyond the pitch,” Ronaldo said. “UD Almería is a Spanish club with strong foundations and clear potential for growth.”

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner previously enjoyed a successful nine-year spell at Real Madrid, where he became the club’s all-time leading scorer and dominated Spanish football.

Almería, founded in 1989, are currently third in the Segunda División table, just two points behind leaders Real Racing with 15 matches left to play this season.