Cristiano Ronaldo could be on the verge of playing an even bigger role in the future of Al-Nassr, with the Saudi club heading toward what could become a defining ownership transition. The latest development has added another layer of intrigue to the club’s future, potentially changing how it operates both on and off the pitch.
Al-Nassr has already become one of the most recognizable clubs in world soccer since Ronaldo’s arrival in January 2023. Now, with Saudi Arabia accelerating its soccer privatization project, the Riyadh club could be approaching a completely different era under a new investment structure.
The latest development comes after Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Sports confirmed the transfer of the remaining 25% shares in Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli to the Public Investment Fund (PIF), as reported by Sabq and Asharq Business.
The move temporarily gives PIF complete ownership of three of those clubs, while Al-Hilal remains a partial exception because of its previous majority sale. The transfer is an important step in Saudi Arabia’s wider Sports Clubs Investment and Privatization Project, clearing the way for private investors to acquire controlling stakes.
Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr celebrates with the Saudi Pro League Trophy.
The changes are designed to make ownership structures more streamlined before private investment enters the next phase. For Al-Nassr, that could mean fresh capital, new administrators, greater commercial freedom and potentially increased spending power in the transfer market.
Five companies reportedly join forces
That is where the biggest twist surrounding Al-Nassr emerges. According to 365Scores Arabic and Falah Al-Qahtani, a five-company alliance is preparing a unified takeover bid for the club, with the group said to include an entity affiliated with Ronaldo.
The companies reportedly involved are Al Wasail Company, a Ronaldo-affiliated company, a company linked to the Al Muhaidib Group, Lamal Company and an entity connected to the American owners of Milan, associated with RedBird Capital.
Gerry Cardinale of AC Milan looks on
The alliance appears to be the result of months of discussions involving several different investment groups. Rather than competing separately for control, the groups are understood to have merged their efforts to create one stronger proposal, potentially making the process easier for PIF to evaluate.
Ronaldo’s involvement could be bigger than expected
The most fascinating aspect of the proposal is Ronaldo’s reported participation. The Portuguese superstar is not expected to become the owner personally, with his involvement instead reportedly coming through a formal legal entity and an official company connected to him.
Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr.
That distinction is important because Ronaldo has increasingly expanded his activities beyond soccer. In 2026, he acquired a 25% stake in Spanish club Almería through CR7 Sports Investments, further establishing himself as an investor with ambitions across the sports industry.
His potential involvement with an Al-Nassr takeover would therefore represent a natural extension of that strategy. At the same time, Ronaldo’s status as Al-Nassr’s biggest global star could give any ownership group enormous commercial and marketing value, particularly when attempting to attract sponsors, investors and elite players.
