Ronaldo’s Almería Bet Sparks a Tax Tug-of-War and a Star-Studded Transfer Saga
2 April 2026
Ronaldo’s stake in Almería triggers cross-border drama
The Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, captain of Al-Nassr, finds himself in his first public clash with Almería after taking a stake in the club. On February 26, he announced buying a 25% stake, folded into CR7 Sports Investments, a newly created vehicle linked to CR7 SA.
About a month later, Flamengo released a fiery statement attacking Almería over a three-year-old transfer involving Lazaro. Lazarro, the Brazilian winger, moved from Flamengo to Almería in summer 2022 for seven million euros, a deal widely reported at the time.
Flamengo says Almería should have covered Spanish taxes on the deal; Almería reportedly paid over 1.5 million euros, while a FIFA ruling for 1.8 million remains unsettled. Flamengo claims a FIFA ruling favored them around 590 days earlier, and the Spanish side has allegedly delayed payment, increasing the debt to about 1.8 million euros.
Flamengo expects the case to be resolved by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, while clubs maintain contractual respect and cooperation. The dispute’s centerpiece, Lazaro, now plays for Al-Najma in Saudi Arabia and will face Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr tomorrow, in Round 27 of the Roshen Pro League, at Al-Nassr’s home ground.
Today’s headlines aren’t just about transfers; they’re about who pays the bill when cross-border deals collide with old commitments, tax laws, and a growing web of corporate entities behind a player’s portfolio.
Punchline 1: Ronaldo bought 25% of Almería—now the club owns a quarter of Ronaldo’s drama on and off the pitch.
Punchline 2: If Flamengo’s tax saga were a match, it would go to extra time with a referee named FIFA—and still end with a bill that nobody wants to settle.
