Cristiano Ronaldo could take a 20% stake in Al-Nassr if a proposed investment led by RedBird Capital Partners goes ahead, according to Semafor reports.
RedBird and its partners are reportedly considering paying about SAR 1 billion ($267 million) for a 70% stake currently held by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF). RedBird, which owns AC Milan, would make the investment.
Talks remain at an early stage, and no deal has been agreed. PIF is also working to clear Al-Nassr’s debt before any potential sale.
How the RedBird and Ronaldo deal could work
RedBird has held at least two meetings with PIF about the stake, and a deal is not guaranteed. Final terms have not been agreed and could still change.
RedBird founder Gerry Cardinale bought Milan in 2022 and also owns the French club Toulouse. The Riyadh-based Saudi Media Company (SMC) could join the investment group. The interest reflects Saudi Arabia’s need for outside money.
After years of heavy spending on the Saudi Pro League, Saudi Arabia is seeking outside investment to help make its football clubs more financially sustainable.
People close to Al-Nassr’s prospective new owners say joining a wider consortium would allow the club to cut costs, use media and marketing partnerships with other RedBird and SMC companies, and raise its profile in the United States.
Under the plan, Ronaldo would become a part-owner of the club he plays for. The 41-year-old has already moved into ownership elsewhere, with his company CR7 Sports Investments buying 25% of Spanish second-division side UD Almería in February.
SMC backs that club, and taking a stake in Al-Nassr would deepen RedBird’s ties to one of the world’s most marketable athletes. His playing career is nearing its end. Ronaldo told Vogue in August that the current season could be his last: "This is probably my last year of football."
His Al-Nassr contract runs until June 2027. He helped the club win the Saudi Pro League in May, his first league title since joining in 2023.
What Al-Hilal's sale reveals about PIF's privatisation plans
Al-Nassr could become the next major Saudi club to move into private ownership, following Al-Hilal’s sale to Kingdom Holding.
PIF agreed on 16 April to sell 70% of Al-Hilal to the investment company owned by Prince Alwaleed bin Talal. The deal was completed on 1 September, with PIF retaining a 30% stake.
PIF acquired 75% stakes in Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad, and Al-Ahli in 2023, while non-profit foundations held the remaining 25%.
In August, the Saudi Sports Ministry began transferring those foundation-owned shares to PIF, giving the fund full ownership of the four club companies.
For Al-Nassr, the key questions are how the proposed 70% and 20% stakes would be divided between the investors.
