From the Pitch to the Boardroom: Ronaldo Joins Wave of Footballers Cashing In on Club Ownership

The migration of elite talent from the pitch to the boardroom continues apace, with Cristiano Ronaldo becoming the latest superstar to dip his toe into football ownership. The Portuguese legend has secured a 25% stake in Almeria, the Spanish second-division outfit, leveraging his deep connections to Saudi Arabia to facilitate the move.

Ronaldo's foray into ownership isn't entirely new territory. When he made his headline-grabbing switch to Al Nassr in early 2023, a shareholding in the Saudi club sweetened the considerable financial package on offer. The Almeria investment, however, represents a deliberate expansion of his portfolio—and it's hardly a random punt. Saudi investors have bankrolled the Spanish side since 2019, making it a natural fit for someone with his Middle Eastern ties.

Yet Ronaldo is far from alone in this trend. A host of former elite performers have similarly traded their boots for balance sheets, with varying degrees of success.

The YouTube Sensation: Cesar Azpilicueta's Unlikely Alliance

Perhaps the most surprising discovery in the footballer-as-owner landscape is Cesar Azpilicueta's involvement with Hashtag United. The former Chelsea stalwart and Spain international has served as a co-owner of the YouTube-centric outfit since 2018, a partnership that hardly screams obvious given the club's gaming-focused heritage. Yet the 35-year-old's presence on the board suggests a deeper immersion in the social media sphere than one might expect from a player better known for his defensive prowess than his digital savvy.

The Class of '92 Project

Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, and Nicky Butt reunited in 2014 with a singular mission: to overhaul Salford City. Backed by deep-pocketed co-owner Peter Lim, this consortium of Manchester United legends orchestrated one of football's most publicised takeovers, transforming a non-league outfit into a professional operation. The subsequent decade saw the club rise dramatically through the divisions, with extensive upgrades across all departments.

The trajectory has since flatlined, however. Salford now find themselves locked in their seventh consecutive season in League Two following recent boardroom changes. Their thunder has been thoroughly stolen by a certain Welsh club helmed by a pair of Hollywood A-listers.

The Player-Owner Hybrid: Didier Drogba

Before the Saudi Pro League became the destination of choice for ageing superstars, the United States represented the natural final chapter for veteran players winding down their careers. Didier Drogba followed that well-trodden path, joining Montreal Impact in MLS after a brief Chelsea return. Yet his story took an unexpected twist when he signed for United Soccer League side Phoenix Rising—and crucially, purchased a stake in the process. This innovative arrangement made him a rare breed: the player-owner hybrid.

The Controversial Swede: Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has never shied away from a contentious decision, whether on the pitch or in the executive suite. In 2019, the former Manchester United striker purchased a stake in Swedish side Hammarby, a move that proved decidedly inflammatory. Why? His boyhood club Malmo—rivals of Hammarby and possessors of a statue honouring Ibrahimovic outside their ground—took exception to his allegiance shift. The statue was subsequently vandalised in protest. A heroes' welcome upon any future return to Malmo seems unlikely.

The PSG Experiment: Kylian Mbappé

Mbappé channelled part of his eye-watering Real Madrid signing-on bonus into acquiring a majority stake in Ligue 2 side Caen during 2024. The French forward's prior experience in club management came courtesy of PSG, where the club essentially handed him operational control. That arrangement proved disastrous for the Parisians, who have flourished in his absence. Caen, meanwhile, have been relegated from Ligue 2 since Mbappé's arrival.

The Portfolio Builder: Gerard Pique

Gerard Pique stands out as perhaps the most astute businessman among footballer-turned-owners. The World Cup-winning former Barcelona defender has assembled an impressive portfolio, acquiring both FC Andorra and Gimnastic Manresa. His business acumen extends well beyond the football pitch, establishing him as one of the sharper minds in recent sporting history.

The Community Champion: Wilfried Zaha

The feel-good story of the bunch belongs to Wilfried Zaha. The Crystal Palace legend partnered with rapper Stormzy and another investor to purchase non-league side AFC Croydon, framed explicitly as an effort to "do what's right for the local community." The potential ramifications for Croydon and its surrounding area are substantial, with benefits likely to reverberate for years to come.