Brazil Great Ronaldo to Run for CBF Presidency

Brazilian former football star Ronaldo waves to the crowd during a friendly match with legends of Brazil's Flamengo and Italy's Inter Milan as farewell of former Brazilian player Adriano at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on December 15, 2024. (AFP)

09:09-17 December 2024 AD ـ 16 Jumada Al-Alkhirah 1446 AH

Brazil Great Ronaldo to Run for CBF Presidency

Former Brazil striker Ronaldo will run for the presidency of the country's football confederation (CBF), the 48-year-old said on Monday.

Ronaldo, who won the World Cup with Brazil in 1994 and 2002, will run as a candidate in the CBF elections to replace current president Ednaldo Rodrigues in 2026.

"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," he told Globo Esporte.

The former Barcelona, Inter Milan and Real Madrid forward currently also said he expects to sell his stake in Spanish top-flight side Real Valladolid.

"We're negotiating a possible sale very soon and we should close the deal. It won't be an obstacle to my candidacy," he added.

Ronaldo previously owned a 90% stake in Brazilian team Cruzeiro, which he sold earlier this year.

Kyrgios’ Return to Grand Slam Tennis Is in Doubt Ahead of the Australian Open

Nick Kyrgios of Australia and Novak Djokovic of Serbia (not pictured) hit a return against Michael Venus of New Zealand and Nikola Mektic of Croatia during their men's doubles match at the Brisbane International tennis tournament in Brisbane on January 1, 2025. (AFP)

09:32-8 January 2025 AD ـ 09 Rajab 1446 AH

Kyrgios’ Return to Grand Slam Tennis Is in Doubt Ahead of the Australian Open

Nick Kyrgios’ planned return to Grand Slam tennis at the Australian Open is in doubt after he sustained an abdominal injury and was forced to withdraw from an exhibition with Novak Djokovic this week.

The 2022 Wimbledon finalist, sidelined with wrist and knee injuries since the 2022 US Open, said in an Instagram post Wednesday that an ultrasound scan had revealed an abdominal strain and "unfortunately (I) won’t be able to play my good friend (Djokovic) this Thursday."

He said he’d be resting and doing everything possible to be ready for the Australian Open, which starts Sunday at Melbourne Park.

The mercurial Australian, who has become a popular commentator during his lengthy stints on the injured list, made his competitive comeback last week at Brisbane, where he played one singles match and partnered with Djokovic in two doubles matches.

Djokovic and Kyrgios won their opening doubles match, a crowd-pleasing, fist-pumping affair by both players at Pat Rafter Arena before a 6-2, 3-6, 10-8 loss to Nikola Mektic of Croatia and New Zealander Michael Venus.

Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley remained confident Kyrgios would play at the year's first major.

"I think it’s just precautionary, that’s the word we’ve got from him," Tiley said Wednesday, responding to questions about the potential absence of the star Australian. "Nick’s not the only one not doing some of their pre-planned matches over the next few days. There’s no concerns ahead of the Open."

Brazil Great Ronaldo to Run for CBF Presidency

Brazil Great Ronaldo to Run for CBF Presidency

Most Viewed

Kyrgios’ Return to Grand Slam Tennis Is in Doubt Ahead of the Australian Open

Kyrgios’ Return to Grand Slam Tennis Is in Doubt Ahead of the Australian Open

لم تشترك بعد