World champion sells shares
Ronaldo is breaking up with his clubs
April 30, 2024, 10:55 a.m
From star on the pitch to investor in the background: double world champion Ronaldo has long since shifted his career. But now the Brazilian is turning away and his shares in the clubs Cruzeiro and Real Valladolid are being sold. Before that there was criticism from the fans.
The two-time soccer world champion Ronaldo is selling his shares in the clubs Cruzeiro and Real Valladolid. The owner of the Brazilian and Spanish clubs, who has been criticized by fans, announced this at a press conference. Supporters of both clubs had criticized Ronaldo for not investing the sums he had promised. Ronaldo bought Cruzeiro in 2021 and had owned the majority of Valladolid since 2018.
“Most fans are grateful that I gave Cruzeiro a name again nationally and internationally. My goal was achieved. It was always the plan to bring Cruzeiro back and give it to the right person at the right time,” said the 47-year-old. Cruzeiro’s new owner is billionaire Pedro Figueiredo, founder of Brazil’s largest supermarket chain.
Apparently he is selling the club’s football department, which he bought for $78 million, for $117 million. The club from Belo Horizonte, where Ronaldo began his career, was relegated to the Série B in 2019 due to financial difficulties and returned in 2022. “Cruzeiro was in intensive care when I arrived,” Ronaldo said. “I’ve halved the debt and increased sales fivefold. Now I’m leaving and Cruzeiro is in a comfortable hospital bed.” In 2021 he advanced eight million euros to become the owner of the Cruzeiro football company, which was still being founded at the time.
The former world star owns 51 percent of Valladolid, but announced a sale. Under his reign the club was relegated twice and promoted once. Valladolid is currently second in La Liga 2 and has a good chance of returning straight back to La Liga.
After starting his career, Ronaldo hunted for goals for FC Barcelona, Inter Milan and Real Madrid, among others. With the Brazilian national team he became world champion in 1994 and 2002.