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Cristiano Ronaldo has been sensationally tipped to become the owner of a LaLiga side, according to a report.
The revelation comes just four months after Ronaldo, 40, revealed that he will venture into club ownership after he retires.
Football’s all-time top goalscorer said in December: ‘I’m still very young, I have so many plans and dreams ahead but mark my words, I will be the owner of a big club.’
Ronaldo spent nine years in the Spanish top-flight, scoring 450 goals in 438 games for Real Madrid, before leaving for Juventus in 2018.
Now, almost seven years after his departure from Spain, the Al-Nassr frontman is said to be interested in returning as an owner by purchasing Valencia, according to Mundo Deportivo.
Ronaldo’s tight relationship with Valencia’s current owner – Singaporean businessman Peter Lim – has served as a basis for these rumours.
Cristiano Ronaldo is interested in purchasing LaLiga giants Valencia, according to a report
The condition for any sale would be that Valencia avoid relegation to the Second Division
Ronaldo may have financial backing from the Saudi royal family or their public investment fund
It is believed that Ronaldo may have financial backing from the Saudi Arabian royal family, specifically Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), or Saudi’s public investment fund.
Since Ronaldo moved to the kingdom at the end of 2022, he has served as a figurehead for Saudi Arabian sports, often appearing at boxing and UFC events.
His cultural influence has made him an icon in the gulf state, and it is believed that he has a strong relationship with MBS.
The report states that the condition for any sale would be that Valencia avoid relegation to the Second Division.
Julian Redondo wrote in his biweekly column in Mundo Deportivo: [Cristiano Ronaldo will be] the next owner of Valencia if they stay in the First Division.’
However, Lim has previously told newspapers in Singapore that he has no interest in selling Valencia.
Valencia currently sit 15th in LaLiga, four points clear of the relegation zone, and next face Madrid on Saturday.
In 2023, Forbes valued Valencia at £169million, with a breakdown including match day revenue, broadcasting rights, commercial activities, brand value, operating income, debt, and stadium debt.
In December 2024, Ronaldo stated that he ‘will be the owner of a big club’ after retirement
Ronaldo earned about £202m in 2024, according to Forbes, while Valencia are valued at £169m
Meanwhile, Ronaldo raked in an estimated £202m in 2024 alone, according to Forbes, comprising £155m from his contract with Al-Nassr and £47m from endorsements.
The world’s highest-paid athlete penned a new deal with the Saudi outfit in January, worth over £167.9m, to keep him at the club until June 2026.
By the time his deal is up, Ronaldo will be 41. In August 2024, he said: ‘I don’t know if I will retire soon, in two or three years, but probably I will retire here at Al-Nassr.’
However, Ronaldo will not necessarily have to wait until his playing career is over to own Valencia.
LaLiga rules and FIFA regulations do not prohibit a player from owning a club in another league, provided the clubs that the player is affiliated with do not compete in the same competition.
SInce Al-Nassr and Valencia would only ever meet if they were to face off in a friendly game, it is theoretically possible that Ronaldo could own the latter while still playing.
