Messi and Ronaldo expand influence through football club ownership

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are expanding their professional influence beyond the pitch by transitioning into football club ownership and management.

Lionel Messi has been actively acquiring stakes in various clubs. In Spain, he recently reached an agreement to acquire 100% of CD Eldense in the Segunda División and previously purchased an 85.05% stake in UE Cornellà. His international investments include a minority stake in Uruguay's Deportivo LSM alongside Luis Suárez, and his family manages Leones de Rosario in Argentina. Additionally, his contract with Inter Miami in the MLS includes a clause allowing him to purchase a stake in the club following his retirement.

Cristiano Ronaldo is pursuing a more concentrated investment strategy through his company, CR7 Sports Investments. He recently acquired a 25% stake in the Spanish club UD Almería. Ronaldo is also reported to hold a shareholder relationship with Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, though specific terms of that arrangement have not been publicly disclosed.