Three Investor Groups Compete for 70% Stake in Saudi Al-Nasr Club as Ronaldo Enters the Picture
Saudi Al-Nassr FC is entering a new investment phase as competition intensifies among three consortiums seeking to acquire a 70% majority stake in the club, following the Public Investment Fund’s review of its holdings in fan-owned teams. The move reflects a wider restructuring effort in Saudi sport aimed at attracting private capital and boosting the commercial value of major clubs.
According to Asharq sources, the first consortium has already submitted a formal expression of interest to buy 70% of Al-Nassr’s shares. The group is reportedly led by a well-known financial firm in Saudi Arabia and includes prominent businessman Mohamed Al-Kharji, owner of Spanish club Almeria. Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has also emerged as a possible partner in the proposed deal, alongside other local investment figures. If the acquisition goes ahead, the consortium is expected to seek Ibrahim Al-Muhaidib, a former Al-Nassr chairman, to help manage the club.
A second consortium, led by Ibrahim Al-Muhaidib himself, is also evaluating whether to enter the race. This group is studying the terms of the opportunity through an investment fund made up of four investors with prior experience in managing Al-Nassr. The group is still reviewing the details and weighing whether participation is financially and strategically viable.
A third consortium is centered around a well-known Al-Nassr figure who had previously run for the club’s presidency. This group has backing from a family with a long-standing connection to Al-Nassr and is considering forming an independent investment entity to prepare a comprehensive bid once the competition is officially opened.
Investor interest in Al-Nassr has grown because of the club’s strong commercial profile, wide fan base, and increasing appeal as Saudi football continues to attract major investment. The situation also follows a similar ownership change at Al-Hilal FC, where Kingdom Holding Company acquired 70% of the club’s stake months earlier, setting a precedent for major private-sector involvement in elite Saudi football.
Under the expected ownership model, the incoming investor would control 70% of Al-Nassr, while the Public Investment Fund would retain a 30% stake. The planned transaction is part of a broader strategy to reorganize leading clubs, expand investment opportunities, and deepen the role of private capital in the sports sector.
