Legendary striker Ronaldo is running for president of the Brazil Football Federation with the aim of ‘recovering the prestige’ of the Brazilian national team.
The 48-year-old won 98 caps and lifted the 1994 and 2002 World Cups.
Ronaldo will run as a candidate looking to replace current president Ednaldo Rodrigues as leader of the Confederation of Brazilian Football (CBF).
Brazil have won the World Cup a record five times. But they last won it in 2002 – with Ronaldo playing – and haven’t made it past the quarter-finals since.
Ronaldo Runs For President Of Brazil Football
Speaking to Globo Esporte, Ronaldo explained his decision to run for the federation’s president.
He said: “For many decades, Brazilian football has always been the escape route for the Brazilian people when they faced daily problems.
“This was the fuel of the Brazilian people and today we see a total lack of interest from the population in the national team.
“Among hundreds of things that motivate me to become a candidate for president of the CBF is to recover this prestige and respect that the national team has always had and that no-one else has today.”
Current president Rodrigues’ term expires in March 2026, with his successor elected during the 12 months before it ends.
Ronaldo is the World Cup’s second-highest all-time scorer. With 15 goals in 19 appearances, he trails only Miroslav Klose of Germany.
In a 17-year career, Ronaldo spent time at Real Madrid, Barcelona, PSV and both Milan clubs.
Having won two World Cups and two Copa Americas with Brazil, he feels he knows how to restore the national side to its former glory.
Ronaldo added: “We have the best players, we have [Vinicius Jr], Neymar, Rodrygo, Estevao, Endrick… we have a lot of talent, how can we not play well?
“We have to change this dynamic. Brazil has to be a protagonist in the World Cup, in the Copa America, it can’t miss out on the Olympics. It’s unacceptable for the talent we have.”
He has also announced he will sell his stake ion La Liga outfit Real Valladolid as part of his presidency bid.
