Cristiano Ronaldo, the prolific forward who turns 40 today, has revealed ambitious plans to transition from scoring goals to owning football clubs upon his retirement.
While still performing at a high level for both Portugal and his club, Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, Ronaldo’s sights are firmly set on the boardroom.
In a recent interview with Portuguese television network Canal 11, Ronaldo dismissed any interest in coaching or traditional club executive roles.
“It doesn’t make a lot of sense to be director of a club,” he stated. “If I can be a club owner, why would I be a manager, sporting director or CEO? That is a dream of mine and I am sure I’ll be a club owner. And I’ll tell you more: I hope to have not just one club, but several clubs.”
This ambition aligns with reports that Ronaldo has been offered a five per cent stake in Al Nassr as part of a lucrative £154m-a-year contract extension.
This potential ownership stake could serve as a springboard for his larger multi-club vision.
Ronaldo’s aspirations echo those of other football icons like David Beckham, co-owner of Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami.
Other players, such as Kylian Mbappe, Ronaldo Nazario, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Didier Drogba, and the “Class of 92” ex-Manchester United players, have also ventured into club ownership.
Ronaldo’s entrepreneurial spirit extends beyond the pitch. His highly marketable image has attracted lucrative endorsements with global brands like Nike, Unilever, Binance, Louis Vuitton, and Dazn.
He also boasts his own successful CR7 brand encompassing clothing, gyms, and hotels. Forbes estimated his net worth at $285m (£227m) last year, placing major clubs out of immediate reach, but making a network of smaller clubs, or shares in larger ones, a realistic prospect.
The potential financial rewards of club ownership are significant.
Beckham’s $25m investment in establishing Inter Miami has seen the club’s value soar to over $1bn. However, the multi-club ownership model, exemplified by groups like City Football Group and Red Bull, has also faced criticism, raising concerns about competitive integrity.
