October 28, 2026
Information published by the Bloomberg Sharq Agency revealed that an investment alliance is intending to involve Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo in a potential deal to acquire a stake in the Saudi Al-Nassr Club, in a move aimed at ensuring the player’s continued association with the club until after retirement.
The report explained that a consortium led by the American company Redbird Capital Partners, with the participation of Saudi investors, has entered into negotiations with the Saudi Public Investment Fund to acquire a stake in the club, and seeks to complete the deal before the end of the current season. The coalition also includes the “Saudi Means” company and former Al-Nasr president Ibrahim Al-Muhaidib.
Al-Sharq Bloomberg quoted a source close to the alliance that the investors requested Ronaldo’s participation in the deal, based on a clause in his contract that gives him priority to obtain 20% of the club’s ownership when offering it for private investment.
Since joining Al-Nasr in early 2023, Ronaldo has contributed to enhancing the club’s international fame and raising its commercial and public presence outside the Kingdom. In this context, Savio de Souza, Director of the Middle East and Africa at Brand Finance, pointed out that Al-Nasr outperforms Al-Hilal in terms of international audience attendance thanks to the popularity of the Portuguese star, while Al-Hilal maintains a stronger commercial position within the local market. De Souza warned that Ronaldo’s departure without a formula for his continued association with the club may lead to a decline in the strength of his brand internationally, stressing that his remaining as an investor, brand ambassador, or in an administrative position will help maintain the commercial gains achieved.
According to estimates by the “Sportico” website, Ronaldo’s income from his contract with Al-Nasr amounts to about $250 million annually, in addition to $50 million from sponsorships and commercial partnerships. If he becomes an investor, his returns will become linked to the growth of the club’s value and profits, instead of being limited to the sports contract. For its part, the Portuguese newspaper “Apola” reported that the members of the investment alliance intend to pump about $500 million into the potential deal.
Thus, Ronaldo’s participation in the ownership of the club may represent a strategic economic step that ensures that the club will continue to benefit from his global stardom after his retirement, at a time when the deal remains subject to the results of the ongoing negotiations between the coalition and the Saudi Public Investment Fund.
