6 hours ago
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Brazil legend Ronaldo has pulled out of the the race to be president of the country’s football association after finding “closed doors” to his candidacy .
The 48-year-old, who was capped 98 times, was planning to challenge Confederation of Brazilian Football president Ednaldo Rodrigues.
Rodrigues’ term runs until March 2026 and the presidential elections must take place in the next 12 months.
Ronaldo had pledged to “recover the prestige” of the national team when he announced his original intention to stand.
Brazil, record five-time winners of the World Cup, last won the competition in 2002 and reached the semi-finals in 2014.
However, the former Barcelona, Inter Milan and Real Madrid striker has decided to withdraw because most of Brazil’s regional federations “support the incumbent president”.
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