Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr. has taken a big step into football club ownership by acquiring a majority stake in Portuguese second-division side FC Alverca.
The 24-year-old Brazilian of Cameroonian descent, who spearheaded a consortium of Spanish and Brazilian investors, now owns approximately 80% of the club.
The move has been met with optimism, particularly from former owner Ricardo Vicintin, who expressed confidence in Vinicius’s ability to lead the club to greater heights.
Vicintin, who oversaw Alverca’s operations during its recent resurgence, spoke highly of the new ownership group.
“With my family, I took it upon myself to carefully choose who to leave this treasure to. Before this buyer, many others tried,” he said in a statement, as quoted by Marca.
“After the negotiations became public, many tried their luck, but we handed over to people who, we are convinced, will do as well or better than us. I am leaving confident that SAD will be in good hands.
“I am convinced that it will soon be in the 1st Liga . These are the foundations that I left and in that I believe.”
Alverca, based near Lisbon, currently sits second in Liga Portugal 2, just two points behind league leaders Tondela.
The club has a storied history, having competed in the Primeira Liga between 1998 and 2003 before financial difficulties led to its temporary closure in 2005.
Over the years, Alverca has rebuilt itself and recently won Liga 3, signaling its ambition to return to top-flight football.
