December 18 – Brazil legend Ronaldo has confirmed that he wants to run for the presidency of the Confederation of Brazilian Football (CBF) with a programme that will restore the prestige of the country’s game.
In an interview with Brazil’s Globo, he said: “Among hundreds of things that motivate me to become a candidate for president of the CBF, I want to recover this prestige and respect that the Selecao (Brazil’s national team) always had and today nobody else has.”
Following a successful football career that included World Cup wins with Brazil in 1994 and 2002, Ronaldo became a club owner, running Cruzeiro and Real Valladolid. The former striker, however, has set his sights on the political arena, challenging CBF president Ednaldo Rodrigues in the organisation’s 2026 elections.
Rodrigues succeeded Rogerio Caboclo, who left under a cloud after allegations of harassment and alcohol abuse, but the incumbent has been the subject of controversies of his own.
On the field, Brazil have been struggling and an attempt to sign Carlo Ancelotti as manager failed. The five-time world champions are still expected to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, but they have lost precious time in the build-up.
Off the field, a court order in December 2023 removed Rodrigues from his post and ordered fresh elections but FIFA stepped in, arguing repeatedly that the world governing body would not tolerate third-party interference.
Rodrigues was reinstated after the threat that Brazil would be excluded from the qualifiers for the 2024 Olympic Games. The country was also bidding for the 2027 Women’s World Cup at the time. The CBF president is also a FIFA Council member after he manoeuvred to oust Fernando Sarney.
Ronaldo will need the support of at least four state federations and four clubs to stand in the CBF presidential elections. To be eligible, the former player will also need to sell his stake in his Spanish club. Last year, he sold Cruzeiro. Ronaldo said that he is negotiating a possible sale.
The former Seleçao player will however be on the back foot to mount a credible campaign.
The CBF has not held a presidential election with more than one candidate since 1989 as the political power is held by the state federations, who form the power base of the CBF chairman.
Ronaldo said: “I will do everything I can to make sure the players understand the historical importance of playing for the national team, the commitment of wearing that jersey. I think there are a lot of things wrong at the moment and we will have to discuss them. I will travel all over Brazil to campaign. I want to talk to all the presidents of the federations, understand the needs of each one, talk to all the clubs.”
Earlier this month, both Ronaldo and Rodrigues travelled to Miami for the Club World Cup draw. The CBF president wanted to be seen alongside FIFA boss Gianni Infantino while Ronaldo informed both Infantino and Conmebol boss Alejandro Dominguez of his intentions. The Brazilian has been a part of FIFA’s legends programme.
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