Two-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo Nazario de Lima on Monday announced he is running for the presidency of the Brazilian Football Federation (CBF), Afrosport reports.
The 48-year-old, who won the World Cup twice in 1994 and 2002, will run against current president Ednaldo Rodrigues in the CBF elections in 2026.
Ronaldo announced his plans on social media, adding that he is looking to help Brazilian football “regain respect”.
“I can’t return to the field as many of you ask me to do,” Ronaldo wrote on Instagram. “And, honestly, I don’t even think that our biggest defeats in recent years were within the four lines. They were not televised. We need to look outside the spotlight. Into the institutions.
“My motivations for this candidacy are countless and perhaps the biggest of them is to believe that I can truly contribute to regain respect for Brazilian football.
“I wish for a CBF loved by Brazilians, respected by the whole world. An unprecedented, powerful transformation that speaks with the entire industry – clubs, federations, athletes, sponsors and fans. Relevant and essential.
“I’m going to travel to all corners of Brazil, listen to all those people who need to be heard and present to the Federation a private investment project never before seen for the sustainable growth of sport in every state of the country. Continue to generate business, jobs and entertainment, with innovation. Rebuilding the credibility of the top entity of Brazilian football, with our old passion in the new times.”
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Ronaldo, who had agreed to sell his stake in Brazilian club Cruzeiro in August, revealed plans to also sell his majority stake in La Liga side Real Valladolid.
The former Barcelona, Inter Milan and Real Madrid forward has a 51% stake in the Spanish club, which he has held since 2018.
“We’re negotiating a possible sale very soon and we should close the deal. It won’t be an obstacle to my candidacy,” he added.
Ronaldo was capped 98 times by Brazil between 1994 and 2011, scoring 62 goals, and he was named player of the tournament at the 1998 World Cup and won the Golden Boot at the 2002 tournament.
