Spain

Cristiano Ronaldo returns to Spain with a new club

Eight years after leaving Real Madrid, Ronaldo is back in Spanish soccer with a former LaLiga opponent.

Hamad I Mohammed

Update: Feb 26th, 2026 05:29 EST

Cristiano Ronaldo has bought a 25% stake in UD Almería. The investment, whose financial details were not disclosed, will be folded into CR7 SA, the parent company through which Cristiano Ronaldo is expanding his growing footprint in the sports business.

What league does UD Almería play in?

Ronaldo announced the purchase of a 25 percent stake in Almería, a club currently playing in Spain’s second tier. The team sits third in the standings, one and two points behind leaders Racing de Santander and CD Castellón, respectively, keeping it firmly in the race for promotion to LaLiga.

Speaking about the deal, Ronaldo said he has long wanted to contribute to soccer beyond his playing career.

🚨🔴⚪️ OFFICIAL: Cristiano Ronaldo buys 25% of Spanish side Almeria.

Deal completed with second division side currently owned by Saudi investment group. pic.twitter.com/qG8Dbcd0vY
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 26, 2026

“Clear growth potential”

“I have long had the ambition to contribute to football beyond the pitch,” he said. “UD Almería is a Spanish club with a strong foundation and clear growth potential. I wish to work with the team leading the club to support it in its new phase of growth.”

In a statement released Thursday, the Portuguese icon said the investment will be integrated into CR7 Sports Investments, a newly created subsidiary of CR7 SA. The entity has been set up to consolidate and manage Ronaldo’s investments across the sports sector and will evaluate strategic opportunities in professional sports.

Club leadership welcomes Cristiano partnership

Meanwhile, Almería president Mohamed Al Khereiji confirmed the sale and welcomed Ronaldo as an investor.

“We’re very pleased that Cristiano has chosen our club to invest in,” he said. “He is considered the best on the pitch. He knows the Spanish leagues very well and understands the potential of what we are building here both in terms of the team and the youth academy.”

Rumors about Ronaldo’s future return to Spain

In recent days, speculation in Almería suggested the Portuguese star could eventually end his career with the club after turning 41. In reality, what was taking shape behind the scenes was this purchase, Ronaldo’s first major investment in a Spanish club.