Ronaldo Nazário has withdrawn from the presidential race for CBF due to insufficient support. He faced closed doors from regional federations, which favor the incumbent president Ednaldo Rodrigues. Ronaldo’s efforts to engage and present his ideas were met with opposition, leading to his decision to step back as Rodrigues is expected to run unopposed in the next election.
Ronaldo Nazário, the renowned Brazilian football legend, has announced his withdrawal from the race for presidency of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF). This decision comes after he struggled to secure sufficient backing from regional federations necessary for his candidacy. Ronaldo, a two-time World Cup champion and former Ballon d’Or winner, had declared his intention to run in December aiming to restore Brazil’s football prestige amidst various controversies surrounding CBF leadership.
The esteemed forward recognized the challenge presented by current president Ednaldo Rodrigues, who enjoys overwhelming support among the electorate. “On my first contact with the 27 regional federations, I found 23 closed doors. If the majority of decision-makers believe that Brazilian football is in good hands, it doesn’t matter what I think,” Ronaldo conveyed through a public statement.
Ronaldo’s attempts to engage with the federations were met with resistance, as many expressed satisfaction with Rodrigues’ administration. He lamented, “I was unable to present my project, put forward my ideas and listen to them as I would have liked. There was no openness to dialogue.” The structure of the electoral college, composed of regional federations and club votes, also posed significant barriers to his candidacy.
Currently, Rodrigues is predicted to be the sole candidate in the upcoming election, reflecting a stable political landscape within the CBF. Ronaldo accepted this reality, stating, “Most of the local leaders support the incumbent president, that’s their right and I respect it, regardless of my convictions.”
Overall, Ronaldo’s withdrawal signifies the continued influence of established leadership in Brazilian football, as he steps back to respect the current governing dynamics.
In conclusion, Ronaldo’s withdrawal from the CBF presidential race highlights the challenges faced by new candidates in an entrenched political environment. Despite his illustrious career and desire to revive Brazil’s football reputation, he encountered significant barriers in securing support from regional federations. This situation underlines the existing loyalty to the incumbent president, Ednaldo Rodrigues, who is positioned to run unopposed in the upcoming election.
Original Source: www.espn.com
