Cristiano Ronaldo's ownership stake in Almería raises questions about his potential future participation in matches for the club, due to Spanish regulations preventing active players from having commercial ties with their clubs.
The recent announcement of Cristiano Ronaldo owning a 25% stake in the Spanish club Almería has sparked widespread debate in the Spanish sports community. The central question arises: can Ronaldo, as a stakeholder, play in the future for Almería? This speculation is influenced significantly by amendments to the Spanish Football Federation’s regulations enacted in February 2025, along with provisions from the Spanish Sports Law, which aim to avoid potential conflicts of interest and ensure fair competition in the sport. Under these rules, any direct commercial relationship between an active player and the competitions they participate in is prohibited.
The intention behind these regulations is to prevent any form of conflict that might arise from players having stakes in clubs within their competitive framework. According to the rules, a professional player owning shares in a club governed by the same competition could lead to legal conflicts that would bar them from registering or playing in the tournament. This measure illustrates a broader initiative to maintain integrity in Spanish football and create a level playing field for all clubs involved.
Furthermore, these amendments draw from past controversies, particularly one involving former Barcelona player Gerard Piqué, whose company facilitated a deal for the Spanish Supercup to be held in Saudi Arabia. This situation raised significant concerns about conflicts of interest, particularly since Piqué had ties to both the Spanish Football Federation and commercial entities involved in these leagues. This precedent highlights the Spanish authorities' commitment to preventing similar situations in the future, thus ensuring that Ronaldo’s stake in Almería may indeed preclude his active participation unless regulations change.
