Ronaldo set to sell Real Valladolid as he eyes Brazilian FA presidency
Ronaldo Nazário, one of football’s most iconic figures, has revealed his plans to run for the presidency of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) in 2026.
The legendary striker, who led Brazil to World Cup glory in 1994 and 2002, confirmed his intention to stand as a candidate to succeed current president Ednaldo Rodrigues, vowing to restore the prestige and respect of Brazilian football.
Speaking to Globo Esporte, Ronaldo outlined his vision, stating: “Among hundreds of things that motivate me to become a candidate for president of the CBF, I want to recover this prestige and respect that the Seleção always had and today nobody else has.”
To clear the path for his campaign, the 48-year-old football legend, affectionately known as “O Fenômeno”, also revealed that talks are underway to sell his majority stake in Spanish side Real Valladolid. Ronaldo, who has owned 82% of the club since 2018, admitted that negotiations for the sale are close to completion and will not interfere with his bid for the CBF presidency: “We’re negotiating a possible sale very soon, and we should close the deal. It won’t be an obstacle to my candidacy.”
A mixed legacy at Valladolid
Ronaldo’s tenure as owner of Valladolid has been a mixed affair. Upon acquiring the club, his vision was clear: to stabilise their position in Spain's top flight and develop a sustainable project. However, during his ownership, the Pucelanos experienced two relegations from LaLiga, most recently at the end of the 2022/23 campaign. Frustration among fans grew over what many perceived as a lack of sufficient investment to secure long-term success.
Ronaldo’s stewardship of Valladolid mirrors his earlier project with Cruzeiro, the Brazilian club where he once held a 90% stake. After helping stabilise the financially troubled side, he sold his shares earlier this year, departing with a sense of accomplishment.
In Valladolid, the outlook remains uncertain. With the club currently striving to return to LaLiga, the potential sale raises questions about the direction of the project. Nonetheless, Ronaldo has insisted that the process will be handled responsibly, and the club's future will not be compromised.
From the pitch to the boardroom
Ronaldo’s candidacy for the CBF presidency is driven by his desire to reverse Brazil’s declining stature on the global stage. The Seleção, five-time World Cup winners, have faced mounting criticism for underwhelming performances both on and off the pitch in recent years.
“What most people say to me on the streets is that they want to see the national team respected again,” Ronaldo remarked, underlining the public’s dissatisfaction with Brazil’s current footballing landscape.
Ronaldo’s move to enter football governance reflects his evolving role in the sport, transitioning from one of the game’s most celebrated players to a businessman and, potentially, a reformer at the heart of Brazilian football. If elected, he will take on the significant challenge of reinvigorating a system that has been plagued by controversies, mismanagement, and underachievement at major tournaments.
A high-stakes decision
The decision to sell Real Valladolid, a club Ronaldo once described as “a long-term project,” marks a pivotal moment in his off-pitch career. His ambitions at the CBF signal a broader desire to shape the future of Brazilian football, tapping into his stature as a global football icon to unify a divided landscape.
As Ronaldo prepares to campaign across Brazil, meeting club officials and state federation leaders, the football world will watch closely to see if O Fenômeno can bring the same brilliance to the boardroom that he once displayed on the pitch. For Real Valladolid fans, however, the immediate concern will be ensuring that the club's next chapter brings more stability than the last.