The Brazilian football icon Ronaldo has announced his intention to lead the country's football governing body, citing the need to address significant challenges facing the sport at the national level.
In a conversation with Globoesporte website on Monday, he stated, "I have hundreds of motivations, but I think the biggest of them is really to restore international respect to Brazilian football."
The former striker expressed his desire to bring substantial reforms as a candidate for the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) leadership position.
Known as "O Fenomeno" ("The Phenomenon"), the 48-year-old aims to utilise the CBF presidency to restore the national team's prestigious status 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 declared.
The two-time Ballon d'Or recipient, who scored twice in Brazil's 2002 World Cup victory against Germany in Japan, needs support from regional clubs and federations to submit his candidacy.
He committed to visiting "all around Brazil" to present his "incredible plans" for football development to secure this backing.
Brazilian media reports indicate the next CBF election should occur between March 2025 and March 2026.
