Ronaldo withdraws from Brazilian Football Association presidential race after failing to gain enough support

"Alien" Ronaldo issued a statement on Wednesday, announcing his withdrawal from the presidential election of the Brazilian Football Association (CBF) effective immediately.

Ronaldo, 48, was one of Brazil's legendary center forwards from the late 1990s to the early 2000s. He won two Ballon d'Ors (1997, 2002) and three FIFA World Player of the Year awards (1996, 1997, 2002) during his career. He retired in February 2011 and subsequently became a shareholder and chairman of Cruzeiro in Brazil and Valladolid in La Liga.

In December 2024, Ronaldo announced that he would run for president of the Brazilian Football Association. He said at the time: "I will talk about football, present my projects and plans, and make sure we really restore the reputation of Brazilian football."

The election for the president of the Brazilian Football Association is expected to be held between March 2025 and March 2026. Candidates must first obtain signatures from at least four Brazilian state football associations and four Brazilian Serie A or Serie B clubs. In order to qualify for the nomination, Ronaldo announced at the time that he would return to Brazil in January this year to visit state football associations and Brazilian Serie A and Serie B clubs to present his campaign platform and plans.

"I have incredible plans," he said. "Before anyone finalizes their vote, I want to have a private conversation with every president. I will travel all over Brazil and listen to everyone. I will expose the need for change and convince them that my project is a serious one. I want to leave a legacy as an administrator."

However, Ronaldo has not been able to gain enough local support. According to Brazilian media UOL, Ronaldo invited 27 local football associations to attend a meeting in Sao Paulo two weeks ago as a candidate for the Brazilian Football Association to discuss the future development of Brazilian football. UOL then added that 25 local football associations have rejected his invitation, and the vast majority of football associations have clearly expressed their support for the current president Edinaldo Rodriguez.

In the end, Ronaldo decided to withdraw from the Brazilian Football Association presidential election. He said in a statement: "After publicly announcing my desire to run for the next Brazilian Football Association presidential election, I hereby formally withdraw my intention. If the majority of decision-makers believe that Brazilian football is in the right hands, then my opinion is irrelevant."

"My first step (in running for election) is to give clubs more voice and space, while listening to the voices of state football associations to improve the sports competitiveness and overall development of the states. I believe that the impetus for change will come from the power of strategic alignment and a shared vision."

"However, 23 of the 27 local football associations refused my request to meet with me when I first contacted them. They refused to receive me on the grounds that they were satisfied with the current president and supported his re-election. I was unable to present my project, put forward my ideas, or listen to their opinions. The door to dialogue was closed to me."

"The current statutes give the local football associations the decisive vote, so it is obvious that I cannot run for election. The vast majority of state leaders support the current president, which is their right. I respect this, even if it conflicts with my philosophy."

"Thank you to everyone who has shown interest in my initiative," Ronaldo concluded. "I have always believed that the first way to advance Brazilian football is through dialogue, transparency and solidarity."

With Ronaldo's withdrawal from the race, Edinaldo Rodrigo is almost certain to be re-elected next year. He is now the only candidate in the Brazilian Football Association presidential election.