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Brazilian football legend Ronaldo has officially withdrawn from the race to become the president of the Confederation of Brazilian Football (CBF), citing overwhelming resistance from the country’s regional federations. The two-time World Cup champion had announced his candidacy in December 2024, pledging to restore the prestige of Brazilian football. However, his campaign has come to an abrupt end due to the lack of opportunities to present his vision.
A Campaign Blocked at the Door
Ronaldo revealed in a statement on March 12 that his attempts to gain support were met with a closed-door policy from the majority of the 27 regional federations.
"On my first contact with the 27 regional federations, I found 23 closed doors," Ronaldo shared on social media. "They refused to meet with me, citing satisfaction with the current administration and expressing their support for [Ednaldo] Rodrigues' re-election. I was unable to present my project, put forward my ideas, and have them heard as I had hoped."
Election System Favored the Incumbent
Under the CBF’s electoral rules, the 27 regional federations each hold three votes, while the 20 clubs in Brazil’s top division, Serie A, have two votes each. Meanwhile, the 20 clubs in Serie B receive just one vote each. This system heavily favors the regional federations, making it difficult for any challenger to gain traction without their backing.
With Ronaldo bowing out, current CBF president Ednaldo Rodrigues is now the clear frontrunner for re-election. Rodrigues, whose term runs until March 2026, has faced scrutiny during his tenure, including a temporary removal from office in December 2023 before being reinstated by FIFA’s intervention.
Ronaldo’s Storied Career and Post-Retirement Involvement
Ronaldo, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, first gained international attention as part of Brazil’s 1994 World Cup-winning squad at just 17 years old. He later played a pivotal role in leading Brazil to the 1998 final and then securing their fifth World Cup title in 2002, where he won the Golden Boot with eight goals. His illustrious club career included stints at Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, and AC Milan, along with multiple league and international titles.
Since retiring, Ronaldo has remained actively involved in football. He currently owns and presides over Real Valladolid, a Spanish club struggling in La Liga. His ambition to take on a leadership role in Brazilian football has now been cut short by political roadblocks within the CBF.
Brazilian Football’s Continued Challenges
Brazil’s national team has struggled to reclaim its former glory, with the last World Cup triumph occurring in 2002. The team suffered a historic 1-7 defeat to Germany in the 2014 semifinals and has been eliminated in the quarterfinals of the last two tournaments, losing to Belgium in 2018 and Croatia in 2022. Off the field, the CBF has faced governance issues and leadership controversies, contributing to the uncertainty surrounding the future of Brazilian football.
While Ronaldo’s vision for reform was ultimately stifled, his candidacy highlighted ongoing concerns about the structure of the CBF and the dominance of regional federations in shaping the future of Brazilian football. For now, the legendary striker will have to seek other avenues to influence the sport he once dominated on the field.
Featured Image Credit: Instagram / @ronaldo, Pixabay / artselisonmorais0
