Former Brazil striker Ronaldo Nazario said he will run for the presidency of the country’s football confederation (CBF).
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Ronaldo to run for Brazil federation presidency
Ronaldo, 48, will run as a candidate in the CBF elections to replace current president Ednaldo Rodrigues in 2026.
Brazil, record five-time winners of the World Cup, last won the competition in 2002 with Ronaldo.
However, the Selecao has not advanced beyond the quarter-final stage since.
“For many decades, Brazilian football has always been the escape route for the Brazilian people when they faced daily problems,” Ronaldo told Globo Esporte.
“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.”
“Brazil has to be protagonist in the World Cup”
Ronaldo is a World Cup winner in 1994 and 2002
He ranks second on the tournament’s all-time top scorer list with 15 goals, behind Germany’s Miroslav Klose (16).
In addition, Ronaldo won two Copa America titles and an Olympic bronze medal.
Since Ronaldo’s international retirement in 2011, Brazil have won the Copa America only once and were eliminated from the 2022 World Cup by Croatia in the quarter-finals.
“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?” said Ronaldo.
“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.”
As part of his bid for presidency, Ronaldo said he will sell his stake in LaLiga side Real Valladolid.
