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Ex Brazil striker Ronaldo will run for president of the national football confederation (CBF), the 48-year-old said on Monday.
Ronaldo, who won the World Cup with Brazil in 1994 and 2002, will run in the CBF elections to replace current president Ednaldo Rodrigues in 2026.
Brazil’s last World Cup victory came during this edition in 2002, and although Brazil has won the Copa America three times since then, the nation’s perceived success depends more on its performance on the world stage. The Selecao When they hosted the tournament in 2014, they finished fourth, their best result since winning the trophy in 2002.
“Among the hundreds of things that motivate me to become a CBF presidential candidate, I want to regain the prestige and respect that Selecao he has always done it, and today no one else does it,” Ronaldo told Globo Esporte.
“People often stop me and ask me to come back because the situation in Seleçao is not good right now.
“My legacy as a player is undeniable, but I feel I have an obligation to continue my career in the football industry and help Brazil get out of where we are. We have been stuck in this for 20 years,” he added.
The former Barcelona, Inter Milan and Real Madrid striker has now also said that he expects to sell his shares in top-flight Spanish team Real Valladolid.
“We are negotiating a possible sale soon and should finalize the transaction. This will not be an obstacle to my candidacy,” he added.
Ronaldo previously owned 90 percent of Brazilian team Cruzeiro, which he sold earlier this year.
Additional reporting by Reuters
