Ronaldo Withdraws From The Nomination Of The President Of The Brazilian Federation

Ronaldo Nazario resigned from the nomination of President of CBF (Instagram/@ronaldo).

JAKARTA - Brazilian football legend, Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima, said he withdrew from the nomination of the President of the Brazilian Football Association (CBF) on Wednesday, March 11, 2025, local time.

He failed to garner enough support from regional federations to nominate a candidacy.

The 48-year-old, a former Ballon d'Or winner and two-time World Cup champion, announced his intention to run for CBG President in December 2024.

Ronaldo is running with the intention of seeking to restore the prestige and respect that Brazil has always had after years of controversy involving CBF leaders.

However, the former Barcelona striker Inter Milan and Real Madrid came to the conclusion that he would not be able to challenge CBF's current President, Ednaldo Rodrigues, who has the support of nearly all voters.

"In my first contact with 27 regional federations, I found 23 closed doors. If the majority of decision makers believe that Brazilian football is in good hands, it doesn't matter what I think."

"The federation refused to accept me in their homes, citing their satisfaction with the current government and support for the re-election (Rodrigues)."

"I can't present my project, put forward my ideas, and listen to them as I want. There is no openness to dialogue."

"The law provides the strongest vote federation. So, it's clear that it's impossible for me to run."

"Most regional leaders support the incumbent CBF President, that's their right and I respect it, regardless of my belief," Ronaldo said in a statement published on his social media channel.

Electoral college consists of 27 regional federations, each of which gets three votes. While 20 top Serie A clubs each got two votes and 20 second-tier Serie B clubs each got one vote.

Rodrigues is expected to be the only candidate in next year's election.