Cristiano Ronaldo wants to add an elite football club to his business portfolio and identified a team to buy, but the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is unwilling to compromise on one aspect
Cristiano Ronaldo has been tipped to buy his first football club – if they avoid relegation this season. Ronaldo, 40, is still doing the business on the pitch but has never been shy about throwing his weight around off it.
The Portuguese megastar scored twice in Al-Nassr’s 3-1 win against local rivals Al-Hilal on Friday in the Saudi Pro League. Ronaldo’s lucrative move to the Middle East in January 2023 has helped him expand his business empire.
Ronaldo owns a hotel chain, clothing and lifestyle brand, fitness centres, and he’s made investments in real estate, media and technology companies. But buying a football club is seemingly his next ambition.
According to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, Ronaldo is interested in purchasing Valencia, long considered LaLiga’s crisis club. Fans have spent years protesting against unpopular owner Peter Lim, who shares a long-standing business relationship with Ronaldo and owns the ex-Manchester United striker’s image rights.
But there’s one condition; Ronaldo is said to only want to buy Valencia if they stay in LaLiga. And that is not a guaranteed outcome with the club teetering on the edge of the relegation zone.
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The five-time Ballon d’Or winner spent nine years in the Spanish top flight playing for Real Madrid and met his girlfriend, Georgina Rodriguez, in Spain. Ronaldo’s bid would be partially backed by the Saudi state, likely through their public investment fund which has flooded other sports with cash.
Valencia, managed by former West Brom boss Carlos Corberan, are currently four points and and two places above the relegation zone. They made a a flurry of loan signings in the January transfer window which has helped turn their season around after a disastrous start to the campaign.
While Ronaldo’s representatives are yet to comment on the speculation, Singaporean billionaire Lim had no plans to sell the club when pressed on the topic last month.
In a statement issued through his company, Meriton Holdings, he said: “Meriton wants to make it clear that such reports are false. Valencia CF is not up for sale and it remains committed to Valencia CF.”
Valencia’s next match is at Ronaldo’s old stomping ground. They travel to Bernabeu on Saturday to face Real, who are battling Barcelona for the title.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo can enjoy his weekend after a big win for Al-Nassr. The 40-year-old’s two goals in the second half were crucial, as Al-Nassr make a late bid to win the league title for the first time since Ronaldo’s arrival.
Like Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr, reigning Saudi Arabian champions Al-Hilal are based in the capital city of Riyadh, making Friday’s victory even sweeter. “RIYADH IS YELLOW AND BLUE!” Ronaldo posted on social media platform X after the win.
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