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Real Valladolid, Spain - A seven-year tenure marked by woeful performances and fan unrest has brought an end to former Brazil great Ronaldo's venture into La Liga's club administration. The now-absentee president oversaw three relegations, culminating in a dismal 2024-25 season that saw the modest club bottom of the table, with 29 defeats and 87 goals conceded before the final game.
Disenchanted fans, such as 53-year-old electrician Daniel Mozo, expressed their frustration, asserting that Ronaldo's leadership was marred by dishonesty and negligence from the outset. "Everything has been lies," Mozo told AFP outside the club's Jose Zorrilla stadium. The fan added, "Ronaldo should carry on with his life and leave us in peace."
Ronaldo, aged 48, became the majority shareholder at Valladolid in 2018, vowing to take the club to European competitions within five years. Wielding a stellar playing career - celebrated by two Ballon d'Or trophies, two World Cups, and silverware at Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Inter Milan - Ronaldo ignited enthusiasm among the fans about a potential new era.
However, instead of propelling Valladolid to sustained La Liga status, Ronaldo's tenure saw the team yo-yo between the top and second divisions, ultimately landing in relegation during the 2020-21, 2022-23, and 2024-25 seasons. Supporter Sergio Gutierrez, a 44-year-old driver, summed up the general sentiment, stating, "He thought that, because he was Ronaldo, this would go upwards. He believed that without doing anything he would win everything - but in the end, nothing."
The frustration among the fans was further fueled by pictures published in Spanish media that showed an allegedly inebriated Ronaldo stumbling from a restaurant late at night and slumping into a car. To emphasize their discontent, fans tossed replicas of banknotes with Ronaldo's face and the words "Ronaldo go home" during a game against Barcelona on May 3.
Valladolid supporters have called for Ronaldo to be symbolically declared persona non grata in the city northwest of Madrid, as fans voice a collective desire for a new owner who feels connected to the club and the city. Andrea Merino, a 25-year-old journalist, expressed her sentiments, stating, "Anything about Ronaldo leaving is good news... We need someone who gets down to work, feels the club and does not leave us in the lurch like Ronaldo."
Recent events mark the culmination of a challenging chapter for Valladolid. Ronaldo has agreed to transfer his shares to a North American investment group backed by a European fund, effectively bringing his time as the club's majority shareholder to a close. The new ownership aims to rebuild the club after the relegation and management upheaval. Manager Alvaro Rubio, the team's third coach this season, declined to discuss the administrative changes, focusing instead on his responsibility for the team's on-field failings.
In light of Ronaldo's departure from Real Valladolid, the ongoing discussions revolve around the new ownership taking over the club. This change has sparked hope among frustrated fans, who have long expressed dissatisfaction with Ronaldo's leadership, particularly in the tech-savvy community and sports enthusiasts within European-leagues, such as football fans following Laliga. Sergio Gutierrez, a 44-year-old driver, exemplifies the sentiments, stating, "We need someone who gets down to work, feels the club, and does not leave us in the lurch like Ronaldo." The anticipation for this shift in ownership, particularly in the sports domain, has led to increased chatter in news channels and social media networks, with fans expressing their excitement for fresh leadership and improved performances on the field.
