Cristiano Ronaldo has said he is open to the idea of owning a football club after retiring from the game in “two to three years maximum.
The Portugal international is under contract with Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr until June 2025 but is already making plans about his future.
“I don’t rule out becoming a club owner,” Ronaldo, 38, told reporters during an event in Madrid for his new bottled water business venture. “It’s something I thought about a few years back. I probably would like to own a [football] club. I’m at the end of my career, two to three years maximum.
Cristiano Ronaldo plans to become football club owner of Australia football club…
Cristiano Ronaldo has said he is open to the idea of owning a football club after retiring from the game in “two to three years maximum.”
The Portugal international is under contract with Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr until June 2025 but is already making plans about his future.
“I don’t rule out becoming a club owner,” Ronaldo, 38, told reporters during an event in Madrid for his new bottled water business venture. “It’s something I thought about a few years back. I probably would like to own a [football] club. I’m at the end of my career, two to three years maximum.”
Meanwhile, Ronaldo, who signed for Al Nassr after leaving Manchester United, celebrated the decision.
“I knew that by me going to [Saudi] Arabia I would open the box,” Ronaldo said. “Karim [Benzema] has gone there but I’m sure many others will follow. In two or three years, it [Saudi Pro League] will be one of the most important in the world. May all the stars come to Arabia, there are no problems with the league. What we want is competition.”
One player who will not join them is Lionel Messi. The Argentina forward turned down a lucrative offer from Saudi team Al Hilal and confirmed on Wednesday that he is set to join Major League Soccer side Inter Miami CF as a free agent after his contract with Paris Saint-Germain expires June 30.
Sergio Ramos, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, N’Golo Kante, Angel Di Maria, Iago Aspas and Roberto Firmino are also reportedly being lined up to sign for clubs in the Saudi Pro League.
“And now it’s about not just putting in those performances, but finding a way to get results in the biggest matches. That’s the next step for us.”
“And if you ask anyone, I’m not the most vocal person on or off the field at all. So when I need to say something, I hope that I have a voice that people will listen to. That’s my goal. I don’t say much. I try to just put my head down and work and work, and I hope that people around see that and that can have a domino effect on everyone.”
Melbourne City has already adopted the multi-club ownership model pioneered by the likes of Manchester City and New York City. LFE plans to roll out a similar model at Perth Glory, acquiring a string of clubs that will be overseen by a single group while retaining the values that have made the Australian club so successful to date.
