<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/cristiano-ronaldo/">Cristiano Ronaldo</a>‘s long-term future at Al-Nassr could extend far beyond his playing career after fresh developments emerged regarding the club’s ownership. With Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) expected to reduce its controlling stake, a major investment project has gained momentum, potentially reshaping the future of one of the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/saudi-pro-league/">Saudi Pro League</a>‘s biggest clubs. While several influential figures are now involved, the full details of the consortium only became clear after significant progress was made behind the scenes.



The latest developments arrive during a period of financial uncertainty for <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/al-nassr-2/">Al-Nassr</a>, with the club facing mounting debts and restrictions on spending despite being home to one of soccer’s biggest stars. As a result, the expected ownership transition has become one of the most closely watched stories in Saudi soccer.



According to reports from Aawsat, Asharq and Okaz Sports, multiple investment groups have been preparing bids to acquire a 70% stake in Al-Nassr once <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/public-investment-fund/">PIF</a> formally begins the sale process, which is expected to start in early 2027.



The biggest breakthrough came after competing groups reportedly agreed to merge their projects into a single proposal. Rather than continuing with rival bids, the parties decided to work together in an effort to strengthen their chances of completing the acquisition and providing greater stability for the club.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/05/21171052/ronaldo-5-1-1920x1080.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-645780"><figcaption>Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr celebrates with the Saudi Pro League Trophy.</figcaption></figure>



A private meeting in London reportedly brought together representatives from the leading consortiums, resulting in an agreement to unite under one investment fund. A representative acting on behalf of Cristiano Ronaldo also attended the discussions.



<h2>Ronaldo joins high-profile consortium</h2>



The identities behind the project have now emerged, revealing a group featuring several prominent business and soccer figures.



Alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, the consortium reportedly includes former Al-Nassr president Ibrahim Al-Muhaidib, Almería owner Mohammed Al-Khuraiji, Saudi businessman Sharaf Al-Hariri, and RedBird Capital Partners, represented by CEO <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/gerry-cardinale/">Gerry Cardinale</a>. The unified project also involves Prince Saud bin Hussam following the agreement to merge the competing investment groups.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/08/01183039/cardinale-1920x1080.webp" alt="cardinale" class="wp-image-669758"><figcaption>Gerry Cardinale of AC Milan looks on</figcaption></figure>



If the acquisition succeeds, Ibrahim Al-Muhaidib is expected to return to a leadership role at the club, while the investment group would oversee Al-Nassr’s next phase following the anticipated reduction of PIF’s ownership. The move represents one of the strongest ownership bids yet assembled in Saudi soccer and reflects the growing commercial value surrounding Al-Nassr since Ronaldo’s arrival.



<h2>PIF prepares for another major club sale</h2>



The ownership developments come after reports that Al-Nassr’s debts have surpassed $213 million, prompting PIF to introduce tighter financial oversight.



According to multiple reports, the club has been unable to register new signings unless incoming transfers are fully financed through sponsorship income or independently generated commercial revenue. Financial, legal and commercial advisors have also reportedly been appointed to monitor spending and identify new revenue streams.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" width="1185" height="675" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/04/16160918/PIF-Kingdom-Holding-Company-1185x675.webp" alt="PIF and Kingdom Holding Company&apos;s representatives arrange deal over Al Hilal." class="wp-image-636782"><figcaption>PIF and Kingdom Holding Company’s representatives arrange deal over Al Hilal.</figcaption></figure>



Should the proposed transaction proceed,&nbsp;Al-Nassr would become the second major Saudi club to undergo this ownership transition, following Al-Hilal. Earlier, PIF reduced its controlling position in Al-Hilal, with Prince Alwaleed bin Talal’s Kingdom Holding Company acquiring 70% ownership, while the remaining stake stayed with the sovereign wealth fund. 



The same ownership structure is now expected for its city rival, with 70% transferring to the successful investor and PIF retaining the remaining 30%.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr takeover plans receive huge boost ahead of expected PIF sale as major names join project

Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr takeover plans receive huge boost ahead of expected PIF sale as major names join project - World Soccer Talk

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Ever since their rough patches, AC Milan and Inter have bounced back to their old selves. What makes the Nerazzurri’s impending 20th Serie A title all the more remarkable is that they are quite close to achieving it.



On par with Juventus, they will join an exclusive group of Italian clubs to get the second star. Meanwhile, finally settling into their stride, AC Milan won Serie A in 2021-22, capping off an 11-year drought.



The issue of each team’s home stadium, however, has to be resolved. In fact, the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/tears-of-joy-in-my-first-visit-to-san-siro-20231105-WST-466908.html">illustrious San Siro</a> may not be their home venue for much longer. The two teams want to leave it for a variety of reasons, the most significant of which is financial.



It’s no secret that in Italy, teams often have to pay rent to the city that owns the stadium. For now, the legendary location will continue to host both teams, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/city-mayor-wants-san-siro-milan-and-inter-set-on-different-road-20240211-WST-489007.html">according to Milan mayor Giuseppe Sala</a>. In fact, the 65-year-old has been doing all in his power to keep both teams for the future as well.



<h2>How do AC Milan plan to follow Yankees’ footsteps?</h2>



However, both teams are now focusing on brand new venues after years of failed plans to renovate the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza. In fact, a new stadium is <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/milan-wants-to-build-american-like-arena-to-replace-san-siro-20240301-WST-492462.html">urgently needed</a>, according to the Rossoneri’s American owner Gerry Cardinale. Furthermore, he detailed his plans to emulate the New York Yankees’ multi-pronged income strategy.



“Sports now is no longer a hobby for rich guys. Sports is a multibillion-dollar live event entertainment business, and you have to bring relationships and multidisciplinary skill sets across a range of activities to be able to get these things done,” he told <a href="https://fortune.com/2024/03/30/gerry-cardinale-profile-interview-ac-milan-redbird-capital-new-stadium/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fortune Magazine</a>.



“It’s time for Italy, and for Milan, to do what the Yankees did back in 2008. Old Yankee Stadium had been around forever. Babe Ruth was there, Joe DiMaggio was there, Mickey Mantle was there, Roger Maris was there. It was iconic. But they realized that it’s time now for a new version of that.”



Though he has “heard from others’ past experiences that it’s very tricky” to construct a new stadium, Cardinale maintains an optimistic outlook on the project. He added: “I like our chances… I wanted to know I had a viable, zonable option for the stadium. If the stadium doesn’t happen, we stay at San Siro.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="450" height="504" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/16043758/image-21-450x504.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-498523" sizes="(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px"></figure></div><figcaption>The Milan clubs have a number of potential challenges</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Constructing new facilities not easy in Italy</h2>



In fact, foreign owners of clubs have it bad in the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/where-to-watch-serie-a-on-us-tv-and-internet/">Italian Serie A</a>. The Red and Blacks aren’t the only ones who misjudged how many hurdles they’d have to pass through to have new infrastructure developed.



Some government officials are attempting to use the same regulations meant to save historic sites to block renovations to San Siro. However, Cardinale maintains that it’s not drastically different from America.



“Those concepts are more familiar to American investors and I think that’s what attracted them to Serie A. They realize what the legacy is and the history here in some of these under-managed brands. They realized the potential to have a great investment on your hands, simply by professionalizing the ownership.”



Photo credit: IMAGO / Nicolo Campo

AC Milan aspire to emulate New York Yankees with new stadium

A new stadium is urgently needed, the Rossoneri’s American owner Gerry Cardinale said, detailing his plans to emulate the New York Yankees.

AC Milan aspire to emulate New York Yankees with new stadium - World Soccer Talk

Both AC Milan and Inter have recovered from their difficult years and are performing at their previous levels. Particularly noteworthy is the fact that the Nerazzurri are close to securing their 20th Serie A championship.



They are on their way to becoming the only other Italian club, along with Juventus, to be awarded the second star. On the other hand, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/ac-milan-tv-schedule">AC Milan</a> has finally settled into a routine; they won <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/where-to-watch-serie-a-on-us-tv-and-internet/">Serie A</a> not long ago and advanced to the semifinals of the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/where-to-watch-uefa-champions-league-and-europa-league-on-us-tv-and-internet/">Champions League</a> before losing to <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/inter-milan-tv-schedule/">Inter</a>.



But finding a solution for each team’s home stadium remains a challenge. They may soon find themselves away from the legendary San Siro.



It is one of the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/tears-of-joy-in-my-first-visit-to-san-siro-20231105-WST-466908.html">most magnificent and fantastic stadiums</a> in the world. With all the recent political action, it’s been hard to keep up with the headlines and everyday events in this narrative.



Several factors motivate the two clubs’ desire to depart San Siro, with financial considerations being the most important. Most Italian stadiums are owned by the city, and the teams are required to pay rent.



The mayor of Milan, Beppe Sala, has been <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/city-mayor-wants-san-siro-milan-and-inter-set-on-different-road-20240211-WST-489007.html">doing everything he can</a> to ensure that both teams remain at San Siro. Despite his most recent meeting with them to explore the possibility of yet another reorganization, some problems remain.



They have voiced their ongoing concerns about the possible income losses for the seasons impacted by the works. As a result, both teams are already hard at work on their new stadium projects.



<h2>What did AC Milan owner say about replacing San Siro?</h2>



So, despite the mayor’s best attempts to save the ancient San Siro stadium, the Rossoneri’s American owner Gerry Cardinale has promised to construct a new stadium. He revealed that it will be “American-like” and could accommodate 70,000 spectators.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="670" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/16044903/American-San-Siro-1200x670-1200x670.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-492512" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></div></figure>



The team is ready to proceed with the development of its new stadium on the outskirts of the Italian city, Cardinale stated.



“We’ve made more progress in 18 months than I think has ever been made in terms of a new stadium in Italy. We can start to do things differently [in football],” Cardinale said at the <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/6c127b0f-8264-4eca-8605-40ca0fa92c0a" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Financial Times Business of Football Summit</a> in London.



“European football’s ecosystem needs to change. We want to bring change with a great American-like stadium that we will own. We owe it to the fans.” Alongside him, retired soccer great Zlatan Ibrahimovic made light of the situation: “San Siro will miss me more than I will miss San Siro.”



<h2>Zlatan Ibrahimovic comments on the state of soccer in Italy</h2>



Italy’s obstinate red tape has made it hard to construct new venues for local teams. That’s why the Swedish superstar wholeheartedly agreed with Cardinale’s vision for the club.



“There’s a big gap between Serie A and other leagues. It’s all about the budget, the economics. Italy needs something more, they need something new,” Ibrahimovic added. He also said the supporters would finally get what they deserved.



By running the club differently, they might attract better players and economics, which would lead to a domino effect.



PHOTOS: IMAGO

Milan wants to build ‘American-like’ arena to replace San Siro

Despite the mayor's efforts to preserve the historic San Siro stadium, AC Milan's owner has vowed to build a new "American-like" stadium.

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