Once hailed as a savior, Ronaldo’s tenure at Real Valladolid has deteriorated into a cautionary tale of ambition, mismanagement, and declining fan trust.
When Ronaldo Nazário bought a controlling stake in Real Valladolid in 2018, it was supposed to be the beginning of a bold new era for one of Spain’s most historic clubs. With his legendary status, global influence, and business acumen, the former Real Madrid and Barcelona striker was greeted with open arms by fans who hoped he could transform the fortunes of a club that had long danced on the edge of financial ruin.
Initially, things looked promising. Ronaldo paid off €25 million in tax debt and invested a further €20 million into club infrastructure. He mingled with fans, removed the notorious moat at the José Zorrilla Stadium to bring them closer to the pitch, and even documented his journey in a TV series called Ronaldo: El Presidente. His charisma and visibility seemed to usher in a new chapter.
However, that optimism has long since faded.
From Champions League Dreams to Relegation Woes
Ronaldo boldly declared he wanted Real Valladolid to challenge for the Champions League within five years. But the club was relegated the very next season. Since then, they’ve yo-yoed between La Liga and the second division, with poor transfer policies and insufficient squad investment undermining any stability.
Despite selling players for roughly €80 million since 2018, only €55 million has been reinvested. Promising talents have been sold quickly, and signings like Kenedy from Chelsea FC have failed to make an impact. Meanwhile, Ronaldo’s reliance on figures like Gabriel Lemur and Paulo André—associates from his business ventures and football past—drew criticism for being disconnected from the club’s culture and needs.
A Global Businessman, Not a Local Leader
As Ronaldo expanded his business portfolio—buying a majority stake in Brazilian club Cruzeiro, launching a film company, running an esports agency, and managing major investment funds—his presence in Valladolid diminished. In 2024, while his team lost 2–0 to Getafe, he was in Brazil playing a live-streamed charity tennis match with Kaká. The response from fans was scathing. They staged protests, including a symbolic emptying of the north stand during a match against Atlético Madrid.
The message was clear: Ronaldo the owner was no longer welcome.
Looking to Exit—but at What Cost?
Ronaldo has acknowledged his desire to sell the club and even flirted with running for president of the Brazilian FA in 2024. Though he later withdrew his candidacy, his intentions for Valladolid were clear. Yet efforts to sell the club have stalled. Offers from Liverpool FC owners FSG and the Egypt-backed Mansour Group failed to materialize, and a 2024 bid from local construction company Inexo was rejected.
With the team once again facing relegation, Ronaldo may struggle to recoup even half of the more than €35 million he’s invested. A €15 million training ground renovation has been halted due to a change in local government, and with nearly half the squad out of contract by summer 2025, the club remains in a state of limbo.
From Hero to Villain
The president of Real Valladolid’s official supporters’ group summed up the mood starkly: “Before, he was seen as a god. Now he’s like the devil.” What began as a fairytale has devolved into a bitter standoff, with the club’s future hanging in the balance and its once-revered owner now seen as a cautionary figure.
Sources: The Athletic, Ronaldo TV Twitch, club websites.
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