February 19 – Actual Madrid’s Vinicius Jr. has taken his affect past the pitch, spearheading a consortium of Spanish and Brazilian traders to accumulate Liga Portugal 2 aspect Alverca. The Brazilian winger now reportedly owns between 70-80% of the membership’s shares, as former proprietor Ricardo Vicintin sells up.
Alverca, based mostly simply outdoors Lisbon, at present sit second within the Portuguese second tier, making this greater than only a vainness challenge—it’s an formidable funding with promotion potential.
Whereas the precise worth of the deal stays undisclosed, early stories urged figures round €10 million. Nonetheless, neither Vinicius’ representatives nor Vicintin have confirmed the ultimate quantity.
The transfer continues a rising development of footballers diversifying their careers into membership possession. Vinicius follows the likes of Gerard Piqué, Zlatan Ibrahimović, and David Beckham—gamers who determined that having their title on the again of a shirt wasn’t sufficient and opted to have it on the membership’s paperwork too.
For Vinicius, this isn’t nearly status; it’s a strategic play. The trendy footballer-as-investor mannequin permits gamers to future-proof their careers lengthy earlier than hanging up their boots. In his case, it cements his position each on and off the pitch—already laying the groundwork for a profession far past his enjoying days.
An official membership assertion confirmed the sale, stating: “FC Alverca – Futebol, SAD hereby broadcasts that Eng. Ricardo Vicintin has bought his certified stake within the public restricted firm to a gaggle of Spanish and Brazilian traders.”
The brand new possession group will likely be formally launched within the coming weeks, whereas present membership CEO Matheus Ornelas will oversee operations till the tip of the 2024-25 season.
Vinicius is now the second present Actual Madrid participant to spend money on European membership soccer after teammate Kylian Mbappé bought a majority stake in French second-division aspect Caen for €20 million (£17m/$22m) final summer season.
The 24-year-old will return to motion on Wednesday as Actual Madrid tackle Manchester Metropolis within the second leg of their Champions League knockout tie, with Los Blancos at present forward 3-2 with tonight’s Bernabeu leg looming.
Having dismantled Newcastle United 4-0 on the weekend, Pep Guardiola’s aspect regarded reborn and can hope to hold that type into the blockbuster conflict that would make or break both crew’s season.
Contact the author of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1739969006labto1739969006ofdlr1739969006owedi1739969006sni@g1739969006niwe.1739969006yrrah1739969006