Cristiano Ronaldo buys a club – and ‘everything points’ to him playing for them

Cristiano Ronaldo has bought a stake in Spanish side Almeria, completing a “longtime ambition” to buy a football club, which he is likely to make his next stop after Al-Nassr.

Ronaldo is one of the game’s most legendary figures, having claimed five Ballons d’Or crowns, but at the age of 41 he is starting to think beyond his playing career.

Much of his legacy was formed in Spain, where he is Real Madrid’s all-time top scorer, and now he has returned to the country by purchasing a stake in the second-flight side.

An official announcement from the club has confirmed that Ronaldo has bought 25% of Alermia’s shares. These will be held under CR7 Sports Investments, which is a new subsidiary of CR7 SA, which holds the player’s investments in the sport sector.

The financials on the deal have not been released.

Ronaldo completes ‘longtime ambition’

Ronaldo said: “It has been a longtime ambition of mine to contribute to football, beyond the pitch. UD Almeria is a Spanish club with strong foundations and clear potential for growth. I look forward to working alongside the leadership team to support the club’s next phase of growth.”

Al Khereiji, meanwhile, has hailed Ronaldo’s investment and is optimistic that the former Real Madrid’s insight will be vital to the development of Almeria.

The president said: “He is regarded as the greatest to ever play the game, he knows the Spanish leagues very well and he understands the potential of what we are building here both in terms of the team and the academy.”

Ronaldo to Almeria: One last dance for CR7?

Ronaldo’s future at Al-Nassr remains in question beyond the end of the season, though he still has a contract that runs until 2027.

Although he has hinted at retirement at that point, his purchase of Almeria opens the possibility of a dramatic return to Spain.

La Voz de Almeria reports that its something that Al-Khereiji is pushing for.

“No one knows for sure what Almeria’s president plans, but everything points to Cristiano Ronaldo not hanging up his boots without wearing the red and white jersey,” it reports.

Al-Khereiji wants his side to win a place in La Liga, and if this can be achieved, Ronaldo becomes a viable target. The local Almeria press claims the president is ready to fund such a deal, with his good relationship with the Portugal legend expected to help smooth a deal.

Almeria are presently third in LaLiga 2 but are just two points off the top of the table with 15 matches remaining.

If they can push their way to promotion, Ronaldo could well make a shock return to LaLiga with the team he now owns.