Brazil legend Ronaldo confirms he's running for CBF presidency amid national team's 'deep crisis'

Ronaldo won the World Cup twice with Brazil in 1994 and 2002 but has seen the Selecao struggle on in the international stage since then. Brazil are the record winners of the competition, having lifted the famous trophy five times, but have not claimed victory or even been past the quarter-final stages since 2002 - despite having a vast selection of talented individuals available.

Ronaldo has now confirmed he is in the running to replace CBF president Ednaldo Rodrigues. In a lengthy interview, the Brazil legend says he wants to bring glory back to the national team as he looks to the future and the next World Cup which will be held in North America, Canada and Mexico in 2026.

He told Globo Esporte: "I have hundreds of motivations, but the biggest one is to get Brazilian football back to the world of respect. What happens to me most on the streets is people stopping me and asking me to play again, because the situation of the national team is not the best at the moment, both on and off the field.

"Mylegacy as a player is indisputable, but I feel that I have an obligation to continue in the soccer industry and help Brazil get out of the situation where we are. We have been at a standstill for 20 years. All countries have evolved in management, in the way they play, and we are at a standstill.

"We have the best players, we have Vini, Neymar, Rodrygo, Estêvão, Endrick... We have a lot of talent, how can we not play well? I think the problem is not just in the lineup and the coach, it comes from the top down, in a pyramid format, and it's been dragging its feet. We have to change this dynamic. Brazil has to be a protagonist in the World Cup, in the Copa América, it can't miss out on the Olympics.

"There is a lot to be done, our situation today is very critical. I don't see much of a deep debate about football. We need to open a national debate about the problems and look for solutions. I see a possibility of effectively helping Brazilian football by getting the presidency of the CBF. I really think that the CBF has to be one of the best companies in Brazil. We have to bring the people closer to the CBF, to the National Team, Brazilians have a very strong relationship with the World Cup and we are losing that. The way we are losing the games, the way we are in the qualifiers, the suffering that is going on, we are not seeing light at the end of the tunnel. I am an alternative for important change for Brazilian football, which is going through a moment of deep crisis."

Presidential elections are due to take place before the next World Cup, as Rodrigues' term only runs until March 2026. Brazil currently sit in fourth place in the CONMEBOL standings and are due to take on Colombia and Argentina next during the March international break.