Ex-Footballer Ronaldo Withdraws from Brazilian Football Federation Presidency Race

Ronaldo de Lima has withdrawn his candidacy for the presidency of Brazil’s football federation (CBF).

Ronaldo, the Brazilian football legend who scored 62 goals for his nation and helped them reach three consecutive World Cup finals between 1994 and 2002, winning twice, had been set to challenge incumbent Ednaldo Rodrigues in the 2026 election.

However, less than three months after announcing his candidacy, the 48-year-old has decided to step away from the race.

In a statement shared on his social media platforms, Ronaldo revealed that 23 of the 27 federations that make up the CBF were not interested in hearing his presidential pitch, which, in his words, aimed to “give a voice and space to the clubs.”

“I found 23 doors closed,” Ronaldo wrote.

“The federations refused to receive me in their homes, arguing that they were satisfied with the current administration and supported the re-election. I was unable to present my project, share my ideas and hear them as I would have liked. There was no openness to dialogue

“If the majority with the power to make decisions believes that Brazilian football is in good hands, my opinion matters little.”

Ronaldo concluded by stating that “the path to the evolution of Brazilian football is, above all, dialogue, transparency, and unity.”

Ronaldo purchased a 51% controlling stake in La Liga side Real Valladolid in the summer of 2018 and sold his stake in Brazilian club Cruzeiro, where he began his professional career, last year.

Widely regarded as one of Brazil’s greatest-ever footballers, Ronaldo was named Player of the Tournament at the 1998 World Cup and won the Golden Boot at the 2002 tournament—the most recent of Brazil’s record five World Cup triumphs.