Two-time World Cup winner Ronaldo Nazário agreed to promote his stake in embattled Brazilian soccer membership Cruzeiro on Monday. And he plans to do the identical at Spain’s second division membership Actual Valladolid, which he has managed since 2018.
He purchased the indebted membership’s soccer division in 2021 for about $78 million and is reportedly promoting it for nearly $117 million.
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The Brazil nice began his profession on the Belo Horizonte-based membership, however as an proprietor he was accused by supporters of failing to take a position as a lot as promised. Related claims had been made towards him an as an proprietor of Actual Valladolid in Spain’s second division.
“Possibly some have exaggerated a bit going towards me, however that is irrelevant to me,” Ronaldo Nazário stated in a information convention after promoting his stake.
“I do know most followers are grateful to me and my staff for placing Cruzeiro again within the nationwide and worldwide scene. My aim was reached, that was at all times the thought. To carry Cruzeiro again and, on the proper time, give it to the best individual.”
He didn’t present many particulars on how he’ll divest from Valladolid, the place he purchased a 51% stake six years in the past.
“My reply will probably be a brief one; Valladolid is subsequent,” Ronaldo Nazario stated. “I’ll take a while off (after promoting each Cruzeiro and Valladolid).”
Followers of the Spanish membership have criticized Ronado Nazário’s administration for transferring on gamers for top numbers, however failing to return a few of that to their staff, which was relegated twice because the Brazilian took over.
The brand new proprietor of Cruzeiro’s soccer division is Pedro Figueiredo, a billionaire and hardcore fan who constructed certainly one of Brazil’s largest grocery store chains. He stated at a information convention it should take him 10 years to pay the membership’s money owed.
Ronaldo Nazário purchased Cruzeiro’s soccer division in a enterprise operation that Brazilians know as SAF, which creates public restricted firms in golf equipment which are usually getting ready to chapter. Such a transfer separates the worthwhile soccer departments from the remainder of the membership, which stays below management of its associates.
Cruzeiro stockpiled trophies over the previous 20 years however was in Brazil’s second division from 2020-22 amid fears it may disappear as a result of its gigantic debt, which amounted to greater than 1 billion Brazilian reals ($200 million).
Ronaldo Nazário’s choice to chip in helped the membership keep afloat throughout its worst days.
“Cruzeiro was in intensive care once I got here. I halved the money owed, the income elevated 5 instances. I’m leaving Cruzeiro in a snug hospital bed room now,” he stated.
Six different top-flight golf equipment have offered their soccer departments in SAF operations lately; Cruzeiro archrival Atletico Mineiro; Bahia, which is owned by the Manchester Metropolis group; John Textor’s Botafogo; Cuiaba; Fortaleza; and Vasco da Gama.
Cruzeiro followers confirmed on Sunday they had been enthusiastic about Ronaldo Nazário leaving the membership. A banner at Mineirao Stadium learn “Bye, Ronaldo” throughout the staff’s 3-1 win towards Vitória within the Brazilian championship.
For a lot of Cruzeiro supporters, Ronaldo Nazário was recognized extra with native rival Corinthians, the place the striker completed his skilled profession in 2011.
New proprietor Figueiredo defended Ronaldo Nazário.
“I apologize on behalf of Cruzeiro followers,” Figueiredo stated. “What some did to Ronaldo was not truthful. He put his identify within the enterprise and he’s upset with this example. I hope tomorrow [the criticism] is just not towards me.”
Info from The Related Press was used on this story.
