Sports
Ronaldo To Contest Brazilian Football Federation Presidency
Brazil legend Ronaldo has confirmed he wants to become president of the country’s football governing body to address a “deep crisis” the sport is facing nationally.
“I have hundreds of motivations, but I think the biggest of them is really to restore international respect to Brazilian football,” he said in an interview on Monday with the Globoesporte website.
Ronaldo said he wanted to be an “alternative for significant change” as candidate for the job of running the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF).
“O Fenomeno” (“The Phenomenon”), as the 48-year-old became known over the course of his 1993-2011 career, said he wants to use the CBF presidency to help Brazil’s national team to regain its glory as five-time world champions.
“The Selecao has to recover its prestige. I’ll do everything so that the players understand the historic importance of playing for the national team,” he said.
Ronaldo scored both goals when Brazil beat Germany in the 2002 World Cup final in Japan, and was twice winner of the Ballon d’Or.
To lodge his CBF candidacy, he needs the support of Brazilian regional clubs and federations.
To get those, he promised to travel “all around Brazil” and share the “incredible plans” he has for the sport.
The date of the next CBF election has not yet been set, but should happen between March 2025 and March 2026, according to Brazilian media.
‘Much deeper problem’
Current CBF chief Ednaldo Rodrigues has been criticized for slotting in temporary coaches for the national team after Tite’s 2022 exit while waiting for Carlo Ancelotti to arrive — something that did not happen when the Italian decided late last year to extend his contract as manager of Real Madrid.
Currently coached by Dorival Junior, the Selecao are fifth in South America qualifying for the 2026 World Cup tournament, seven points behind leaders Argentina.
“My problem is not Ednaldo. The problem is much deeper. My goal is to bring the people closer to the Selecao. Today, the people are indifferent when the Selecao plays,” Ronaldo told Globoesporte.
“I am an alternative of significant change for Brazilian football, which is going through a deep crisis,” he said.
Ronaldo, a former star for Barcelona, Inter Milan and Real Madrid, already has leadership experience.
In 2018, he took majority control of Spain’s Real Valladolid, and in 2021 did the same for Cruzeiro, the Brazilian club where he started his career.
He sold his Cruzeiro stake in April this year.
In his interview, Ronaldo said he was in talks to “very soon” sell his Valladolid stake to avoid “any obstacle” to his CBF candidacy.
AFP
Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta has said Bukayo Saka is set to return to the squad for this weekend’s game with Newcastle.
Saka was missed last month because of an Achilles injury he had been carrying for some time following the Carabao Cup final.
“Bukayo probably is going to be in the squad, so good news,” Arteta said ahead of Saturday’s game, live on Sky Sports.
“Calafiori will be in the squad as well, Jurrien [Timber] is not in the squad.”
Arteta admitted that nursing the problem had affected Saka’s performances for the Gunners, for whom he had managed just two goal involvements in 11 games prior to his injury break.
“We’ve given him some time. There was a moment where he was struggling to sustain his performances because he wasn’t comfortable at all,” he said.
“We’ve done that, he had the right treatment, the right space and had some time for himself too. It’s now the most important time of the season and he’s back with us.”
Michael Eneramo, Nigeria’s striker who once wore Nigeria’s green and white with pride, collapsed during training in Kaduna Friday morning. He was 40.
Teammates rushed to him. Hands pumped his chest. Prayers rose on the pitch. But this was one fight the big man wouldn’t win.
According to SCORENigeria, desperate efforts to revive him failed. Just like that, the roar of the stadium gave way to silence.
Eneramo earned 10 Super Eagles caps and scored three goals for his country. But to fans, he was more than stats. He was power. He was presence. The boy from Lobi Stars who dared to dream beyond the NPFL and conquered Tunisia with Espérance, lifting trophies and breaking hearts.
Turkey became his second home. From Sivasspor to Beşiktaş, Karabükspor to Istanbul Başakşehir and Manisaspor, he bullied defenders for over a decade, his name chanted in stadiums far from Jos.
Now the boots are empty. The pitch in Kaduna, where he fell, holds only echoes.
He leaves behind memories of thunderous headers, tireless runs, and a smile that lit up camp.
He leaves behind teammates who called him brother. He leaves behind a nation that once cheered his name.
Michael Eneramo was a striker until the end.
Chelsea have sacked Liam Rosenior as manager after just 107 days in charge, as a result of a poor run of performance that saw the club suffer five consecutive Premier League defeats without scoring.
The club confirmed the decision in a statement on Wednesday, saying it was not taken lightly but was necessary due to “recent results and performances” falling “below the necessary standards”.
“Chelsea Football Club has today parted company with Head Coach Liam Rosenior.
“On behalf of everyone at Chelsea FC, we would like to place on record our gratitude to Liam and his staff for all their efforts during their time with the Club.
“Liam has always conducted himself with the highest integrity and professionalism following his appointment midway through the season,” the statement read.
Chelsea added that the former Strasbourg manager leaves with the club still competing in the FA Cup and chasing European qualification.
“Liam has always conducted himself with the highest integrity and professionalism following his appointment midway through the season,” the statement read.
Chelsea added that the former Strasbourg manager leaves with the club still competing in the FA Cup and chasing European qualification.
“Everyone at Chelsea FC wishes Liam every success in the future,” the statement added.
Rosenior, who was appointed in January on a six-year contract to replace Enzo Maresca, departs with Chelsea seventh in the Premier League and seven points off the Champions League places.
Meanwhile, Calum McFarlane will now take charge of the team as interim head coach until the end of the season, beginning with Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Leeds at Wembley, with support from existing backroom staff.
“As the club works to bring stability to the head coach position, we will undertake a process of self-reflection to make the right long-term appointment,” Chelsea said.
Rosenior’s exit comes after a run that included defeats to Newcastle, Everton, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Brighton, with Chelsea failing to score in all five games.
Yahaya Bello to know fate on May 6 as Court adjourns financial infractions case
Nigeria set to record largest surge in food insecurity globally in 2026-Reports
Arteta gives updates on injured players ahead of Newcastle clash
-
Tech22 hours agoNCC inaugurates IPv6 Council, pushes for urgent adoption
-
News22 hours agoTelcos to Credit Users for Service Failures Under Tougher NCC Rules
-
Metro11 hours agoTwo Injured as Police Foil Kidnapping Plot in Ibadan
-
Politics11 hours agoLagos 2027: Obasa Hosts Hamzat,Promises Support For Governorship Bid
-
News11 hours agoTight Security as Court Arraigns Suspects Over Jos Killings
-
News12 hours agoOAU Medical Student Slumps, Dies During Clinical Examination
-
News11 hours agoTinubu Unveils ₦25 Trillion Pension Fund to Strengthen Workers’ Retirement Security
-
News11 hours ago$516m loan request: Tinubu’s borrowing bonanza mortgaging Nigeria’s future
You must be logged in to post a comment Login