After Herbalife deal, Ronaldo buys into Saudi-backed Spanish club

Cristiano Ronaldo is widening his business footprint, moving quickly from endorsement deals into ownership and long-term investments. Days after taking a 10 percent stake in Herbalife, the Portuguese forward has bought a 25 percent share in UD Almería, a Saudi-owned club competing in Spain’s second division. The club said Thursday that Ronaldo made the investment through his CR7 Sports Investments vehicle. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Ronaldo joins an ownership group led by Saudi Media Company, which also operates Al Nassr’s home ground, Alawwal Park. He said he wants to contribute to football “beyond the playing field,” adding that he believes the club can grow in the coming years. The deal reflects a broader push by Saudi Arabia to deepen its presence in global sports. Under Vision 2030, launched in 2016, the kingdom has increased spending to reduce reliance on oil and build new industries tied to entertainment and tourism. Its sovereign wealth fund, Public Investment Fund, has backed projects such as LIV Golf, which is projected to reach $6 billion in value this year.

Saudi events grow; Ronaldo backs health tech

Saudi Arabia is also preparing to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup and has signed a 10-year agreement with WWE, bringing WrestleMania to Riyadh in 2027. The country has expanded into entertainment, staging events like the Riyadh Comedy Festival with international acts including Kevin Hart and Pete Davidson, even as criticism over human rights issues continues. Ronaldo, 41, is part of a growing group of active players investing in clubs while still competing. In 2024, Kylian Mbappé bought an 80 percent stake in French side SM Caen through his firm.

His latest move follows a $7.5 million investment in a health technology platform tied to Herbalife. The amount equals about N11.25 billion, assuming an exchange rate of N1,500 to the dollar. Ronaldo acquired a 10 percent stake in Herbalife subsidiary HBL Pro2col Software LLC, which uses data to build personalized nutrition plans. The investment was disclosed during Herbalife’s fourth-quarter earnings call. The company reported a 1 percent rise in full-year 2025 sales and a 6.3 percent increase in fourth-quarter revenue. Its shares climbed more than 16 percent after the announcement.

Ronaldo takes Herbalife stake; income, reach grow

Ronaldo has worked with Herbalife since 2013, but this marks his first disclosed equity investment in the business. He described the move as a natural step in a long-standing partnership. Off the pitch, Ronaldo remains one of the most valuable names in sport. According to Forbes, he earned $280 million in 2025, including about $50 million, roughly N75 billion, from commercial ventures spanning hotels, fitness centers, and branded products.

His reach continues to set him apart. Ronaldo’s YouTube channel has about 77 million subscribers, while estimates from marketing firm Two Circles put his combined social media following at roughly 1.04 billion people worldwide. Herbalife, meanwhile, is still working to rebuild investor confidence after years of pressure. The stock has dropped by about two-thirds over the past five years. In 2012, Bill Ackman placed a $1 billion bet against the company, setting off a high-profile dispute with Carl Icahn, who took the opposite position.

The company later reached a $200 million settlement with the Federal Trade Commission in 2016 over claims it misled consumers, agreeing to change parts of its business. For Ronaldo, the recent deals point to a clear shift. As his playing career enters its later years, he is building positions that could carry his influence well beyond football.