Cristiano Ronaldo could become one of the owners of Al Nassr as reports claim he has joined a five-man investment group preparing a bid for the Saudi club.
Cristiano Ronaldo could become co-owner of Al Nassr in huge takeover plan
Cristiano Ronaldo could move from being Al Nassr’s biggest star to becoming one of the club’s owners under a major new investment plan.
The Portuguese superstar is reportedly part of a five-man group preparing an offer to take control of the Saudi club.
According to reports originally published by Portuguese newspaper A Bola, the group wants to negotiate with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, known as PIF.
If the plan succeeds, Ronaldo could become a co-owner of the same club he currently plays for.
Ronaldo reportedly joins Al Nassr takeover group
Ronaldo is not working alone on the possible deal.
The investment group is reportedly led by Ronaldo and Gerry Cardinale, the founder of RedBird Capital Partners and a major figure behind AC Milan.
Three Saudi businessmen are also said to be involved.
They are Ibrahim Al-Muhaidib, Mohammed Al-Khuraiji and Sharaf Al-Hariri.
Together, the five investors are reportedly preparing a proposal to take control of Al Nassr.
Each investor could put in around $100 million
The financial size of the plan is one of the most interesting parts of the story.
Reports say each member of the group could invest around $100 million.
That would mean at least $500 million could be available from the five investors together.
However, there is an important clarification.
The reported $500 million is not confirmed as the final price of Al Nassr.
The full value of any possible takeover has not been publicly confirmed.
Ronaldo could become owner of the club he plays for
This is what makes the story so unusual.
Ronaldo joined Al Nassr at the beginning of 2023 and quickly became the biggest name in Saudi football.
Now, more than three years later, he could take another major step.
Instead of only playing for Al Nassr, Ronaldo could also have a financial and ownership role in the club.
That would give him an even stronger connection with Al Nassr after his playing career ends.
PIF currently controls Al Nassr
Any deal would need to involve Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
PIF became the majority owner of Al Nassr as part of Saudi Arabia’s football investment project.
PIF originally took a 75% interest in the company created to operate the club, while the remaining 25% stayed with the club foundation.
The structure was introduced as part of a wider plan involving several major Saudi clubs.
That means the reported investment group would need an agreement with PIF before any takeover could move forward.
Important talks could decide what happens next
Representatives connected to RedBird and the investment group are reportedly planning talks with PIF.
Those discussions could decide whether the idea becomes a serious takeover process.
The main question is whether PIF is willing to sell control of Al Nassr and under what conditions.
If the two sides cannot agree, the plan could end before a formal deal is reached.
For now, negotiations remain at an early stage.
Gerry Cardinale adds serious investment experience
Gerry Cardinale’s involvement makes the project even more interesting.
His company RedBird Capital Partners has major experience in sports investment.
RedBird took control of AC Milan in 2022.
Cardinale’s presence means Ronaldo would be working with an investor who already has experience running one of Europe’s biggest football clubs.
That could be important if the group eventually takes control of Al Nassr.
Ronaldo is already moving into football investment
Ronaldo is also beginning to build his business interests in football away from the pitch.
Reports earlier this year said the Portuguese star acquired a 25% stake in Spanish club AlmerÃa.
A possible investment in Al Nassr would therefore be another major step in Ronaldo’s move from player to football investor.
At 41, Ronaldo is already thinking about what his career could look like after he stops playing.
Owning part of a football club could become an important part of that future.
Al Nassr has become a major part of Ronaldo’s career
Ronaldo’s move to Saudi Arabia changed both his career and the profile of the Saudi Pro League.
His arrival helped attract global attention to the competition.
Many other famous players later followed him to Saudi Arabia.
Ronaldo has now spent several years as the main face of Al Nassr and Saudi football.
A move into ownership would make his relationship with the club even deeper.
From Al Nassr superstar to Al Nassr owner?
Ronaldo arrived in Saudi Arabia as Al Nassr’s superstar signing.
Now he could eventually become much more than that.
Five investors.
A reported commitment of around $100 million each.
Talks with PIF.
And Cristiano Ronaldo potentially becoming a co-owner of the club he currently represents.
The deal is still far from complete.
But if it happens, Ronaldo’s Al Nassr story could continue long after his final match as a player.
