 |
At 41 years old, Ronaldo still maintains impressive form while playing for Al Nassr. |
In 2023, upon joining Al Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo frankly stated that he wanted to own a football club. At the time, the Portuguese superstar admitted that his playing career had only "two to three years left." Those words have now become a concrete reality.
Ronaldo, through his company CR7 Sports Investments, has acquired a 25% stake in UD Almeria, a team playing in the Spanish Second Division. The value of the deal has not been disclosed, but its significance is clear: Ronaldo is laying the foundation for his life after football.
This marks his return to Spanish football in a completely different way. Previously, Ronaldo had nine glorious seasons with Real Madrid, winning numerous major titles before leaving in 2018. Now, he returns not as a player, but as an investor.
"I've always had the ambition to contribute to football beyond the pitch. Almería is a club with a solid foundation and clear potential for growth," Ronaldo shared in an official statement.
This move is not surprising. For years, Ronaldo has spoken about his desire to be involved in management. At the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards in late 2024, he stated that if he became an owner, he would address the problems that exist within a club.
While playing for Manchester United, Ronaldo also criticized the team's operational structure and argued that the problem wasn't solely with the manager.
 |
Financially, Ronaldo is in a unique position in the world of sports . |
Stepping into the role of owner is a different choice compared to the majority of former players. Typically, they transition into coaching or commentary.
Ronaldo is following in the footsteps of David Beckham, who owns Inter Miami, or Kylian Mbappe with his stake in SM Caen. Their common ground is their financial resources and strong personal brand, which allows them to exert significant influence.
Financially, Ronaldo is in a unique position in the world of sports. He is the highest-paid player in football history, with an estimated income of around £177 million per year.
According to Bloomberg , Ronaldo's total assets are estimated at around £1.04 billion, making him the first player to appear on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
Ronaldo's income doesn't just come from football. He has a lifetime contract with Nike, reportedly worth around £745 million, along with deals with major brands such as Tag Heuer, Armani, Samsung, and Louis Vuitton. In addition, he has real estate investments in Portugal.
At 41, Ronaldo still maintains impressive form for Al Nassr. However, he has confirmed that this summer's World Cup will "definitely" be the last of his international career. This shows that he himself is aware of his time limitations.
Ronaldo's 24-year career was built on discipline, ambition, and adaptability. The purchase of Almeria shares wasn't an impulsive decision, but a calculated move. It allows him to remain involved in football even after he's no longer playing.
While on the pitch, Ronaldo always seeks to make his mark with goals and titles, off the pitch, he is seeking to exert influence through ownership and a long-term vision. That journey may only just begin.
Source: https://znews.vn/de-che-ronaldo-buoc-vao-giai-doan-moi-post1630580.html
