UD Almeria manager Rubi has said that it would be ‘extraordinary and very special’ for new co-owner Cristiano Ronaldo to play for them.
Earlier this week, it was announced that the Portuguese superstar had purchased 25 per cent of the second-tier Spanish side’s shares through his CR7 Sports Investments company.
The pre-match press conference that preceded Almeria’s away draw with Albacete was dominated by discussion of Ronaldo’s investment and whether he could be involved as a player-owner.
‘From our position, we are very happy. Of course, we welcome him. I think it’s great news because someone like him, with his complete knowledge of the sport and football, can help a club like ours,’ Rubi said.
‘It’s very exciting for the entire club, the city and the province. You already know the good relationship Cristiano has with the owners.
‘(Playing for the side) is a question for him, but it would be something extraordinary and very special. This is his club, and if he wants to continue playing, whoever the coach is here would welcome him with open arms. I have no doubt about that.’
The 41-year-old, who was named a billionaire by Forbes last year, has offered a glimpse into what the future holds when he eventually hangs up his boots after a glittering career.
While the financial terms have not been disclosed, the deal is considered a ‘long-term strategic investment’, according to a report.
Ronaldo’s purchase of UD Almeria comes just over a year after he hinted he would like to own his former club, Manchester United.
His involvement also comes a year after the Spanish second division side were taken over by a Saudi investment group in May 2025.
It is understood that Ronaldo has a close relationship with the group’s leader, Mohamed Al Khereiji, who is reported to have helped facilitate his move to Al-Nassr in 2022 after his acrimonious exit from Manchester United.
Al Khereiji, UD Almeria club president, said: ‘We are very pleased that Cristiano has chosen our club to invest in.
‘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.’
The club, which is four years younger than their new owner, currently sit third in Spain’s second division, with one point separating them from league leaders Racing, who have a game in hand.
Ronaldo’s investment comes just over a year after he hinted that he would like to buy his former club, Manchester United.
‘(The) Premier League, it’s the most difficult league in the world,’ he said.
‘All the teams are good, all the teams fight, all the teams run, all the teams are strong. Football is different right now. There are no easy games any more.
‘They need, I said this one year and a half ago, and I will continue to say it: the problem is not the coaches, it’s like… I always give this example… it’s like an aquarium.
‘If you have the fish inside and he’s sick and you take him out and you fix the problem and you put him again in an aquarium, he will be sick again.
‘The problem of Manchester United is the same. The problem is not always the coach. It’s much more than that.
‘If I am the owner of the club, I will make things clear and adjust things that are bad there.’
