Messi vs. Cristiano: how the two businessmen divide up their clubs and businesses in football
The Argentine has expanded his portfolio of clubs in 2026 with two deals in Spain, while the Portuguese already controls a 25% stake in Almería.
L ionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have begun shifting part of their business activity into club ownership. The Argentine has accelerated that process in 2026 with his moves involving UE Cornellà and CD Eldense, while the Portuguese acquired a 25% stake in UD Almería in February, as announced by his investment company, CR7 Sports Investments.
The difference also lies in the model. Messi has concentrated his operations in lower-division clubs and also maintains an option to acquire a stake in Inter Miami when his career as a footballer comes to an end. Ronaldo, for his part, already has a formal stake in Almería and his shareholding relationship with Al-Nassr appears to be documented, although the exact terms of that investment are not publicly detailed in all sources.
Messi: two clubs in Spain and projects in Argentina, the United States and Uruguay
The Argentine's most recent deal is that of Eldense. The agreement announced in September contemplates the acquisition of 100% of the Alicante club, which competes in the Segunda División. Forbes describes the deal as Messi 's second investment in a Spanish club after the purchase of Cornellà, although other reports indicate that the transaction still requires official authorizations to be completed.
In April, Messi acquired 85.05% of UE Cornellà, a Catalan club that plays in the Tercera Federación . The club has a well-recognized development structure in Catalonia, and its youth ranks have included footballers who later reached the professional game. Messi himself sent a message to the squad after the deal became public: “I wanted to introduce myself to you and greet you. You know that we are here to grow and help in any way needed.”
Its portfolio also includes projects outside Spain. Messi holds a minority stake in Deportivo LSM, a Uruguayan club linked to Luis Suárez, while Leones de Rosario, founded in 2015, has Matías Messi as president . The AFA officially includes Leones de Rosario among its affiliated clubs and lists the footballer's brother as president of the entity.
In the case of Inter Miami , the situation is different. Messi is not listed among the owners that Forbes currently identifies as controlling shareholders of the franchise, led by Jorge Mas, José Mas and David Beckham . What is documented is that the Argentine's contract includes an option to acquire a stake in the club once his playing career is over. The exact percentage has not been publicly confirmed, so it would not be appropriate to present as fact the 30% figure included in some publications.
Cristiano Ronaldo: Almería and its link to Al-Nassr
Cristiano Ronaldo acquired a 25% stake in UD Almería in February, a club in Spain's second division. The transaction was announced by CR7 Sports Investments , which did not disclose the financial details. Ronaldo explained at the time that the investment reflected his intention to participate long term in club ownership and to contribute to the next stage of the Almería project.
The Portuguese also maintains a shareholding relationship with Al-Nassr , the club where he continues to play in Saudi Arabia. The initial reference mentions a new offer from a consortium to acquire the club from the Saudi sovereign wealth fund, but that information does not have, in the sources consulted, the same level of confirmation as the purchase of 25% of Almería . Therefore, the operation should be treated as a negotiation or a version pending confirmation, and not as a new Ronaldo ownership.
The moves of both reflect two strategies still in development. Messi has concentrated his known investments in lower-tier clubs, especially in Spain, with particular attention to development structures, while Ronaldo has taken a stake in the ownership of a Segunda División club.
For now, the main difference lies in the degree of confirmed ownership: Messi has stakes or control in projects in Argentina, Uruguay, and Spain, while Ronaldo’s officially announced investment in 2026 is the 25% of Almería . The next step in the Eldense deal will be especially relevant in determining when Messi’s entry into the Alicante club can be considered formally completed
