Two-time World Cup winner Ronaldo Nazário agreed to promote his stake in embattled Brazilian soccer membership Cruzeiro on Monday. And he plans to do the identical at Spain’s second division membership Real Valladolid, which he has managed since 2018.
Ronaldo Nazário purchased the indebted Cruzeiro’s soccer division in 2021 for about $78 million and is reportedly promoting it for nearly $117 million.
The Brazil nice began his profession on the Belo Horizonte-based membership, however as an proprietor he has been accused by supporters of failing to take a position as a lot as promised.
“Maybe some (Cruzeiro fans) have exaggerated a little going against me, but this is irrelevant to me,” Ronaldo Nazário stated in a news convention.
“I know most fans are grateful to me and my team for putting Cruzeiro back in the national and international scene. My goal was reached. That was always the idea — to bring Cruzeiro back and, at the right time, give it to the right person.”
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He didn’t present many particulars on how he’ll divest from Valladolid, the place he purchased a 51% stake six years in the past.
“My answer will be a short one; Valladolid is next,” Ronaldo Nazario stated. “I will take some time off (after selling both Cruzeiro and Valladolid).”
Fans of the Spanish membership have criticized Ronado Nazário’s administration for promoting their gamers for prime numbers, however failing to return a few of that to their crew, which was relegated twice because the Brazilian took over.
The new proprietor of Cruzeiro’s soccer division is Pedro Figueiredo, a billionaire and ardent fan who constructed considered one of Brazil’s greatest grocery store chains. He instructed Monday’s news convention it should take him 10 years to pay the membership’s money owed.
Ronaldo Nazário purchased Cruzeiro’s soccer division in a business operation that Brazilians know as SAF, which creates public restricted corporations in golf equipment which might be typically on the point of chapter. Such a transfer separates the worthwhile soccer departments from the remainder of the membership, which stays beneath management of its associates.
Cruzeiro stockpiled trophies over the previous 20 years however was in Brazil’s second division from 2020-22 amid fears it may disappear attributable to its big debt, which amounted to greater than 1 billion Brazilian reals ($200 million).
Ronaldo Nazário’s choice to chip in helped the membership keep afloat throughout its worst days.
“Cruzeiro was in intensive care when I came. I halved the debts, the revenue increased five times. I am leaving Cruzeiro in a comfortable hospital bedroom now,” he stated.
Six different top-flight golf equipment have offered their soccer departments in SAF operations lately; Cruzeiro archrival Atletico Mineiro; Bahia, which is owned by the Manchester City group; John Textor’s Botafogo; Cuiaba; Fortaleza; and Vasco da Gama.
Cruzeiro’s is Brazil’s first SAF operation to vary palms.
Cruzeiro followers confirmed on Sunday they have been enthusiastic about Ronaldo Nazário leaving the membership. A banner at Mineirao Stadium learn “Bye, Ronaldo” throughout the crew’s 3-1 win towards Vitória within the Brazilian championship.
Valladolid followers additionally protested towards the Brazilian after their crew was relegated in 2023. The Spanish membership co-leads the second division with Leganés on 64 factors after 37 matches. The high two groups will robotically be promoted to La Liga subsequent season.
For many Cruzeiro supporters, Ronaldo Nazário was recognized extra with native rival Corinthians, the place the striker completed his skilled profession in 2011.
New proprietor Figueiredo defended Ronaldo Nazário’s administration of the membership.
“I apologize on behalf of Cruzeiro fans,” Figueiredo stated. “What some did to Ronaldo was not fair. He put his name in the business and he is upset with this situation. I hope tomorrow (the criticism) is not against me.”
