A new investment chapter is unfolding for Saudi Arabian football giant Al-Nassr FC, as a three-way contest emerges for a 70% majority stake in the club. The bidding war kicks off just days after the Kingdom’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) began a strategic review of its holdings in the country’s major sports clubs.
Quick Facts
- Three consortiums are competing for a 70% majority stake.
- The Public Investment Fund (PIF) will retain 30% ownership.
- Cristiano Ronaldo is named as a partner in one bid.
The Key Players in the Bidding War
According to reports from Asharq Al-Awsat, the first investment coalition, managed by a prominent Saudi financial firm, has already submitted a formal expression of interest. This group includes notable businessmen such as Mohamed Al-Khereiji, the owner of Spanish club Almería FC. Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has also been named as a potential partner in this proposed group. The consortium plans to install former club president Ibrahim Al-Muhaidib as head of management if the deal is successful.
A second group is being led by Ibrahim Al-Muhaidib himself. He is exploring a competitive bid through an investment fund that includes four other investors with experience in the club’s management. This consortium is currently evaluating the details of the potential deal to determine its feasibility.
The third contender is centered around a well-known Al-Nassr figure who has previously run for the club’s presidency. This effort is reportedly backed by a family with a long and significant history with the club. The group is currently working on establishing an independent investment entity to prepare a comprehensive offer once the bidding process is formally opened.
A Broader Strategy for Saudi Sports
The intense investor interest in Al-Nassr is driven by its substantial commercial value and large fanbase. This move is part of a wider restructuring of Saudi Arabia’s major sports clubs, designed to open the door for new investment flows into the sector.
The proposed ownership structure, where the PIF retains a 30% stake while a private investor takes 70%, mirrors a similar transaction completed months ago. In that deal, Kingdom Holding Company acquired a 70% stake in Al-Nassr’s rival, Al-Hilal FC, setting a precedent for the privatization model.
About Al-Nassr FC
Based in Riyadh, Al-Nassr Football Club is one of the most successful and popular football clubs in Saudi Arabia. Founded in 1955, the club has won numerous domestic and regional titles. It gained significant global attention following the signing of international football star Cristiano Ronaldo in late 2022.
Source: Jawlah
