Brazil Great Ronaldo Sells Majority Stake in Valladolid

(FILES) 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. (Photo by Daniel RAMALHO / AFP)
(FILES) 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. (Photo by Daniel RAMALHO / AFP)
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Brazil Great Ronaldo Sells Majority Stake in Valladolid

(FILES) 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. (Photo by Daniel RAMALHO / AFP)
(FILES) 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. (Photo by Daniel RAMALHO / AFP)

Real Valladolid said Friday Brazil great Ronaldo is selling his stake in the Spanish club to a North American investment company.
"The chairman of the board of directors and majority shareholder of Real Valladolid, Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima, announces a deal has been signed for the transfer of a majority stake in the club to a North American investment group with the financial backing of a European fund," said Valladolid in a statement.

The club, relegated from La Liga after a dismal campaign, said more details will be made available in the near future and that the deal is subject to approval from the Spanish sports council, AFP said.

Fans had protested heavily against Ronaldo in recent weeks, begging for him to "go home", with the team losing 29 of 37 league matches played this season.

In September 2018 Ronaldo, who won the World Cup with Brazil in 1994 and 2002 as a player, bought a 51 percent stake in Valladolid.

Ronaldo tried to modernize the club badge in 2022 but in 2024 reverted it back following widespread opposition.

Valladolid were relegated to the second division in 2021, but bounced straight back, before the same thing happened again in 2023, with the club returning to the top tier for their disastrous 2024-25 campaign.



Spain's King Makes Nadal a Marquis

FILE PHOTO: Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros - Rafael Nadal of Spain vs Facundo Bagnis of Argentina. - Paris, France - 26/05/16. Nadal reacts after he won. REUTERS/Pascal Rossignol/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros - Rafael Nadal of Spain vs Facundo Bagnis of Argentina. - Paris, France - 26/05/16. Nadal reacts after he won. REUTERS/Pascal Rossignol/File Photo
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Spain's King Makes Nadal a Marquis

FILE PHOTO: Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros - Rafael Nadal of Spain vs Facundo Bagnis of Argentina. - Paris, France - 26/05/16. Nadal reacts after he won. REUTERS/Pascal Rossignol/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros - Rafael Nadal of Spain vs Facundo Bagnis of Argentina. - Paris, France - 26/05/16. Nadal reacts after he won. REUTERS/Pascal Rossignol/File Photo

Spain's King Felipe VI on Thursday granted tennis great Rafa Nadal the noble title of marquis, recognizing his contribution to the nation through sporting prowess, according to a royal household statement.

Nadal, a 22-times Grand Slam champion who retired last year, was among six individuals honored as part of celebrations marking the monarch's 10th anniversary on the throne, Reuters reported.

Other given such titles included pop-rock singer Luz Casal and Paralympic swimmer Teresa Perales.

"They are a source of pride for Spain and a permanent reference point for values that should inspire our society," the palace said.

Former world number one Nadal, 39, will hold the title Marquis of Llevant de Mallorca, the island where he was born and lives. The title can be inherited by his descendants.

Nadal, who won the French Open a record 14 times, was commemorated last month at Roland Garros with a permanent footprint on the Center Court.