Vinícius Junior is set to become the next footballer with a stake in a football club. According to Brazilian media, the Real Madrid forward has reached an agreement with FC Alverca. Along with a group of investors, he will acquire between seventy and eighty percent of the shares of the Portuguese second-division club.
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"I have carefully considered, together with my family, to whom I will entrust my treasure. Before this buyer, there were many others who tried. Even after the negotiations became public, people still tried their luck. But we have passed the baton to people we are convinced will do better than we did," wrote Ricardo Vincintin in a statement, officially confirming the transfer of ownership at FC Alverca.
Although Vincintin did not explicitly name the buyer, several Brazilian media sources have reported that Real Madrid star Vinícius Junior is leading the investment group acquiring the club. This move marks a significant step in the player's off-field business ventures, further solidifying his status not just as a top-tier athlete but also as an entrepreneur investing in football. The acquisition of a majority stake in FC Alverca means that Vinícius will play a crucial role in shaping the future of the Portuguese second-division side. Reports indicate that he and his group of investors are securing between seventy and eighty percent of the club's shares, giving them considerable control over sporting decisions, recruitment policies, and long-term planning.
By making this move, Vinícius follows in the footsteps of his Real Madrid teammate Kylian Mbappé, who recently made headlines by purchasing SM Caen, a French club competing in Ligue 2. Across the football world, the trend of players becoming club owners or major investors has gained momentum, with more stars looking to influence the game from a different perspective. The purchase of FC Alverca aligns with Vinícius Junior's growing influence beyond the pitch. The American business magazine Forbes has revealed details about the deal, reporting that the agreement is nearly finalized and valued at approximately ten million euros. This represents a substantial investment in a club currently competing for promotion to Portugal’s top tier. Financially, this move is well within Vinícius' reach, as Forbes estimated his net worth at around fifty-three million euros in 2024, based on an annual salary of thirty-eight million euros from Real Madrid, in addition to lucrative sponsorship deals with brands such as Nike, Pepsi, and EA Sports. His growing commercial profile has made him one of the most marketable footballers in the world. With those earnings, he ranks seventh among the highest-paid footballers globally, behind the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Mbappé.
However, beyond the financial aspect, this acquisition highlights Vinícius' vision for football investment. Owning a club gives him the opportunity to shape its development, implement a strong youth academy system, and establish a long-term strategy for sustainability and success. With FC Alverca’s solid foundation and ambition to reach the Primeira Liga, Vinícius and his group see great potential in the club’s future. This move places him among an expanding list of elite players who have transitioned into club ownership. David Beckham is one of the most notable examples, as he co-owns Inter Miami, a Major League Soccer club that gained global attention with the arrival of Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba. Similarly, Brazilian legend Ronaldo has built a football business empire, acquiring Real Valladolid in Spain and later investing in his boyhood club Cruzeiro in Brazil. Another prominent case is Salford City, a lower-league English club owned by Manchester United’s famed "Class of '92," which includes Gary Neville, Phil Neville, David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, and Nicky Butt, all of whom have used their footballing expertise to help steer the club’s progression.
FC Alverca currently sits in second place in Liga Portugal 2 after twenty-two rounds and is firmly in the race for promotion to the Primeira Liga. Having once been a regular presence in the top division before financial struggles led to their downfall, the club has been steadily rebuilding in recent years, placing a strong emphasis on youth development and sustainability. With Vinícius Junior and his partners set to take charge, there is growing anticipation about how his footballing insight and global influence could impact the club’s growth. His involvement could bring greater financial backing, a broader scouting network, and new commercial partnerships, all of which could accelerate Alverca’s rise.
As the deal nears completion, all eyes will be on how Vinícius Junior intends to shape FC Alverca's future. His experience at Real Madrid, playing alongside some of the best in the world and under top-level coaching, could translate into a more professional and modern structure at the club. If Alverca secures promotion, it could attract higher-profile players, gain financial stability, and increase its reputation in Portuguese football. This investment could be just the beginning of a larger football business journey for Vinícius, potentially paving the way for a footballing legacy that extends far beyond his playing career.
