April 7, 2025 — Valencia CF owner Peter Lim has firmly dismissed swirling speculation that football legend Cristiano Ronaldo is poised to take over the La Liga club, emphasizing his family’s enduring dedication to the team. In a move underscoring this commitment, Lim appointed his son, Kiat Lim, as club president last month, a decision he reiterated Monday as a clear signal that Valencia is not for sale—despite Ronaldo’s expressed interest in club ownership post-retirement.
The rumors, which gained traction in recent weeks, suggested Ronaldo, currently starring for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, might leverage Saudi financial backing—possibly from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman—to acquire Valencia. Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo fueled the fire on April 4, claiming, “Cristiano will be the next owner of Valencia if the team stays in LaLiga.” The speculation leaned on Ronaldo’s long-standing friendship with Lim, cemented by a 2015 deal where Lim’s Mint Media bought a chunk of Ronaldo’s image rights, and his February remarks to Canal 11 about wanting to own clubs after hanging up his boots. Posts on X even tied the potential bid to Trump’s tariff chaos, hinting at Saudi funds as a counterweight.
Lim, however, was unequivocal in his rebuttal. Through Meriton Holdings, his investment vehicle that controls a 92% stake in Valencia, he stated Monday, “Valencia CF is not up for sale, and we remain fully committed to its future.” The Singaporean billionaire, who rescued the club from financial ruin in 2014 with a €420 million takeover, pointed to Kiat Lim’s March 5 appointment as president as proof of his intent. “Passing the baton to my son is a strong affirmation of our ongoing dedication,” Lim said, echoing former president Chan Lay Hoon’s words at the transition. Kiat, 31, a director since 2022, has been hands-on, recently visiting the Nou Mestalla construction site, set to resume in January 2026.
The Ronaldo rumors aren’t new— whispers of a Saudi-backed bid surfaced as early as February—but Lim’s stance aligns with his history of rejecting offers. In 2024, he turned down a €250 million proposal from ex-vice president Miguel Zorio, and insiders told The Athletic in March that Lim won’t budge for less than €400 million, especially with the new stadium poised to boost the club’s value. Valencia’s mid-table struggles this season, sitting 11th after a 2-1 win over Espanyol on April 5, haven’t softened his resolve, though fan protests against his absentee ownership persist.
Ronaldo, fresh off a brace against Al-Hilal that took his career tally to 931 goals, has stayed mum on the speculation, focusing instead on Al-Nassr’s Saudi Pro League title chase and an upcoming Asian Champions League clash with Yokohama F-Marinos. His camp, per Fabrizio Romano, denies any active talks with Valencia or other clubs, aligning with Lim’s dismissal.
As global markets reel from Trump’s tariffs and Bitcoin dips below $75,000, Lim’s reaffirmation offers Valencia fans a rare anchor of stability—albeit one they’ve long greeted with skepticism. For now, the Ronaldo-to-Valencia dream remains just that, while the Lim family doubles down on its La Liga legacy.
