Cristiano Ronaldo came to Saudi Arabia as a player. He may stay as an owner.
According to reports, billionaire footballer Cristiano Ronaldo is in line to become a part-owner of Al Nassr, the Saudi Arabian club he has played for since 2023.
This is not a rumour. This is a takeover plan led by RedBird Capital Partners, the U.S. investment firm that owns Italy's AC Milan.
The Big Deal Explained
RedBird has held at least two meetings with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, the sovereign wealth fund that owns Al Nassr, about buying 70% of the club for about 1 billion riyals, which is about $267 million.
Under the proposed structure, Ronaldo is expected to hold 20% of the club.
Riyadh-based Saudi Media Co., a private media, sports and entertainment group, is among the other possible investors.
The terms could still change. A person close to the wealth fund described RedBird's interest as early and said a deal might not happen yet. RedBird and the fund have not commented publicly on the talks.
Why Ronaldo Has The Right To Buy
Ronaldo's possible stake has been discussed since September. His contract with Al Nassr gives him a priority right to buy up to 20% of the club if it opens to private investors.
It is still unclear how his stake would be paid for or how the final shares would be split, but the door is already open for him.
The 41-year-old forward joined Al Nassr at the start of 2023 after leaving Manchester United. He signed a two-year extension in June 2025 that keeps him at the club until 2027.
He already owns a club stake outside Saudi Arabia: his investment company, CR7, holds 25% of Spanish team UD Almeria, which is controlled by Saudi Media Co.
So this would not be his first time as a club owner. It would be his biggest.
Why Al Nassr Is Being Prepared For Sale
The fund is using companies in its portfolio to clear about 800 million riyals, about $213 million, of Al Nassr's debt, partly through new sponsorship deals, to prepare the club for new owners.
Al Nassr has spent heavily on players since Ronaldo's arrival and was placed under a league-imposed transfer ban earlier this year.
In April, the fund agreed to sell 70% of Al Hilal, Al Nassr's biggest rival, to Kingdom Holding Co., the investment firm controlled by Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, in a deal that valued the club at 1.4 billion riyals, about $373 million.
Now, Al Nassr is next.
Who Is RedBird Capital?
RedBird, founded by Gerry Cardinale, bought AC Milan in 2022 for about €1.2 billion, about $1.34 billion, and also owns French club Toulouse.
RedBird chief executive Gerry Cardinale, former Al Nassr president Ibrahim Al Muhaidib and Saudi Media Co. chairman Mohammed Al Khuraiji were first linked to a bid in September.
If the deal happens, Ronaldo will go from wearing the Al Nassr shirt to owning part of the shirt.
From Player To Boss
Ronaldo became the first footballer to amass a fortune of more than $1 billion last year, built on more than two decades of salaries at Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and Al Nassr, as well as endorsement deals, his CR7 brand and investments in hotels and other businesses.
Now he wants to own the club he plays for. That is the ultimate power move.
Imagine Ronaldo signing his own contract. Imagine Ronaldo deciding which players to buy. That is the future we may soon see.
Do you think Ronaldo will be a good club owner?
Will Al Nassr become stronger if Ronaldo owns 20% of it? Or will it cause problems?
Tell us in the comment section.
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