The football world was set abuzz when rumors emerged that Cristiano Ronaldo might be considering a return to Manchester United—not as a player, but as a potential investor. Reports suggested the Portuguese superstar had been “sniffing around” for a minority stake in the club where he cemented his legendary status. But while the idea of Ronaldo becoming part of United’s ownership structure is tantalizing, some voices in the game are urging him to think bigger—and bolder.
Rather than settling for a small piece of an established giant, why not take full control of a club and shape its destiny? And not just any club—what if Ronaldo set his sights on a surprise League Two side instead?
There’s no denying the emotional pull Manchester United holds for Ronaldo. It’s where he first announced himself as a global superstar under Sir Alex Ferguson, winning three Premier League titles and a Champions League before his record-breaking move to Real Madrid. Returning as part of the ownership group would be a poetic full-circle moment.
But the reality of modern football investment is more complicated. United’s current ownership, the Glazer family, has faced relentless criticism from fans over debt, mismanagement, and a lack of sporting vision. Even if Ronaldo were to acquire a minority stake, his influence would likely be limited. Would he really want to be a silent partner in a club that means so much to him?
Moreover, with tech billionaire Elon Musk recently joking (or perhaps not so jokingly) about buying United, the competition for influence at Old Trafford could become a circus. Ronaldo doesn’t need to be a sideshow in someone else’s power play—he could be the main event elsewhere.
Instead of fighting for a sliver of United, Ronaldo could follow the path of other footballing icons who have taken over smaller clubs with big potential. David Beckham transformed Inter Miami, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney turned Wrexham into a global phenomenon, and even former players like Gary Neville have invested in lower-league sides.
A League Two takeover would offer Ronaldo something United never could: total control. He could implement his vision from top to bottom—scouting, youth development, stadium upgrades, and commercial growth. Imagine “CR7 FC,” a club molded in his image, with his relentless winning mentality embedded in its DNA.
The financial barriers to entry are also far lower. While a minority stake in United could cost hundreds of millions, purchasing a League Two club outright might require just £10-20 million—a drop in the ocean for a man whose career earnings exceed $1 billion.
Several lower-league English clubs could benefit from the “Ronaldo effect.” Here are a few intriguing possibilities:
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Salford City – Already part-owned by the Class of ’92, adding Ronaldo to the ownership group would create an even bigger buzz.
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Forest Green Rovers – The world’s first vegan football club, known for its eco-friendly ethos, could align with Ronaldo’s fitness-focused brand.
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Notts County – The oldest professional club in the world, rich in history but in need of revival.
But the most fascinating option might be Crawley Town. A small club with a 6,000-seat stadium, they’ve recently gained attention thanks to Hollywood-style documentaries and ambitious owners. With Ronaldo’s star power, they could become England’s next Wrexham—a lower-league team with a global fanbase.
The success of Wrexham under Reynolds and McElhenney proves that celebrity ownership can be more than a gimmick. Since their takeover, the Welsh club has seen:
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A 400% increase in season ticket sales
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A multi-million dollar documentary deal with Disney+
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Back-to-back promotions
Ronaldo’s brand is even bigger than Hollywood’s. His social media reach alone (over 600 million followers) could instantly make any club he buys a commercial powerhouse. Sponsorships, merchandise sales, and international tours would follow.
At 39, Ronaldo is nearing the end of his playing career. He’s spoken about wanting to remain in football, possibly as a coach or executive. Owning a club would give him the perfect transition—a hands-on role where he can apply his football IQ without the physical demands of playing.
It would also cement his legacy in a new way. Winning trophies as a player is one thing; building a club from the ground up is another. If he could take a League Two side up the pyramid, it would be one of the most remarkable stories in modern football.
Interestingly, Elon Musk’s flirtation with football ownership adds another layer to this discussion. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO has the wealth to buy almost any club he wants, but his approach would likely be more Silicon Valley than soccer purist. Ronaldo, on the other hand, understands the game at its core.
If Musk buys United, it could become a tech experiment—data-driven, commercially optimized, but perhaps lacking soul. Ronaldo’s ownership would be rooted in footballing passion. The contrast between the two visions could define the next era of club ownership.
While owning a piece of Manchester United sounds romantic, the smarter move for Ronaldo might be to start fresh. A League Two takeover would give him creative freedom, a chance to build something lasting, and a project that could captivate fans worldwide.
The football world is waiting to see what CR7 does next. Will he take the safe route and invest in a giant? Or will he embrace the challenge of turning a small club into something extraordinary? One thing’s for sure—wherever Ronaldo goes, the world will be watching.
