Ronaldo de Lima withdrew his candidacy to become the next president of the country’s Football Federation (CBF).
Brazilian football legend Ronaldo won 62 goals in three consecutive World Cup finals between 1994 and 2002, twice winning the World Cup final, a 2026 opposition from current Ednaldo Rodrigues.
The 48-year-old has withdrawn from the game less than three months after announcing his candidacy in the next election.
In a statement shared on his social media platform, Ronaldo said 23 of the 27 federations that make up the CBF are not interested in listening to his presidential propaganda, which he said in Ronaldo’s words “give voice and space to the club.”
“I found 23 doors closed,” Ronaldo wrote.
“The federal government refused to host me at their homes, thinking they were satisfied with the current government and supported reelection. I was unable to introduce my program, share my thoughts and hear them as I wish. The conversation was not open.
“If most people who are capable of making decisions think that Brazilian football has a good grasp, my opinion doesn’t matter.”
“The most important thing about the development of Brazil’s football is dialogue, transparency and solidarity,” Ronaldo said.
Ronaldo bought a 51% controlling stake in La Liga Side in the summer of 2018 and sold his stake in Brazilian club Cruzeiro in the summer of 2018, and he began his career last year.
Ronaldo is widely regarded as one of Brazil’s greatest footballers of all time, was named a tournament player in the 1998 World Cup and won the Golden Boot Award at the 2002 Championship, a record five victory in Brazil.
