Brazil’s Ronaldo sells Cruzeiro, indicates Real Valladolid next

Brazil great Ronaldo Fenômeno announced during his farewell press conference at Cruzeiro that he will sell Real Valladolid this week, Soccernet.football reports.

Ronaldo bought a controlling stake in his boyhood club Cruzeiro in December 2021 after investing $70 million in the club.

The two-time FIFA World Cup winner has, however, concluded it was time to part with with the 103-year-old Celeste.

During a press conference on Monday, Ronaldo confirmed the sale of Cruzeiro’s SAF to businessman Pedro Lourenço, while also making an interesting comment indicating that he will also leave command of Real Valladolid.

In Spain, Ronaldo owns Real Valladolid, and there are reports suggesting that the Segunda Division side may be the next club he sells.

“Valladolid is the next club (I will sell). I’m going to take this little bit of life (in a) sabbatical, until something comes up,” said Ronaldo Fenômeno.

Real Valladolid manager reacts to reports of club sale

Ronaldo’s likely departure from Real Valladolid has stirred up Spanish news.

After selling Cruzeiro, Fenômeno stated that he also intends to negotiate for the Blanquivioleta club.

The Brazilian businessman’s “trusted man” and Real Valladolid manager Paulo Pezzolano has reacted to this statement this Thursday, May 2nd.

Pezzolano, who has been in charge of Valladolid since April 2023, commented, “I don’t know what’s going to happen immediately or anything. We have to understand the context of when he said what he said. Internally we are calm, safe.

“Real Valladolid with Ronaldo, as far as I know, is another club. Before, there were debts. Today there is infrastructure, internally it is another club. We have to value him a lot, and I hope he doesn’t leave here, because this club has a lot to improve.”

Ronaldo has been the majority shareholder of Valladolid since September 2018. He invested 30 million euros at the time of the acquisition of 51% of the club. He later increased the percentage to 72%.

Under the management of the three-time FIFA World Player of the Year, Valladolid is experiencing a “turnaround” in Spanish football.

At the moment, the team is fighting for the Second Division title – it has 64 points in 37 rounds, the same number as the leader, Leganés, and three ahead of Eibar, in third place.