In May 1993, a fragile and agile but talented striker as a demon made his Brazilian Cruzeiro debut.
The young boy attracted attention from the first touch of the ball, and at the end of a wonderful year left the team, for a career that would take him to the biggest teams in the world and the most prestigious achievements football has to offer.
Almost 30 years later, the same boy - who over the years became Ronaldo "Phenomenon", a former football legend and current businessman - returned to the same Cruzeiro and bought 90 percent of the club for 400 million reals (about $ 70 million).
"I have a lot to give back to this club," he explained.
"Cruzeiro needs to be put back where it needs to be."
With four wins in Brazil, two in the Libertadores and another 39 in the regional league of the Minero, Cruzeiro is considered one of the biggest and most glorious teams in Brazil. However, in 2019 it was relegated to the second division for the first time in its history, and has not been where it should be for three years. This season he was appointed the veteran and experienced coach and Underley Luxemburgo, but also with him and an impressive squad of players - the team finished in 14th place in the sub-league, and was very far from returning to the senior league.
At the same time, the group has sunk into heavy debt, and according to media reports - the group owes about a billion rials. In the current state of affairs, it was clear to everyone that only an extreme buyer could save this luxury club. Negotiations with Ronaldo began in January of this year, but the deal was made possible only recently, when a law was approved in Brazil that allows football clubs to become private companies. "We have a lot of work ahead of us," declared the former star. "We need the audience with us. We have a lot of ambition."
The youngsters in Cruzeiro fans did not get to see Ronaldo in the team's blue uniform.
He played there only between 1993 and 1994, scoring 56 goals in 58 games, a balance that puts him in 35th place in the club's all-time scoring table.
Ronaldo led Cruzeiro to titles, and due to his ability that year he was invited to the 1994 World Cup (in which he did not participate).
He was sold to PSV Eindhoven in August 1994 for about six million euros, and despite everything he has gone through since - in the Netherlands, Spain, Italy and the Brazil national team - he has always had a warm place in his heart for the club where it all started.
"This is the club that revealed Ronaldo to the world, and now Ronaldo will remind the world what this club is," said President Sergio Santos Rodriguez.
The initial goal of the parties is to take care of the heavy debts, and later to return the team to Brasilia and bring as many titles as possible.
Cruzeiro fans.
Want to go back to being happy, Photo: AFP
A calculated businessman
There is no doubt that the sentimental side is a key part of the deal, but Ronaldo of recent years is also a calculated businessman. Cruzeiro will be the second team he owns, having three years ago acquired 51 percent of Real Valladolid, then in the Spanish sub-league, for 30 million euros. He made the two deals with the help of his holding company, TARA SPORT, and it is estimated that there will be cooperation between the two clubs, as happens, for example, in the Red Bull or City concern, which owns several teams around the world. In addition, Ronaldo has a second company called ODDZ, which makes investments that are not related to the world of sports.
The full details of the deal are not yet fully known, and it is likely that by early 2022 everything will be clear, but it is not just Cruziero who is celebrating the exciting acquisition.
Ronaldo's choice to invest in a Brazilian club, rather than another European one, reinforces the feeling that the new law that allows the purchase of clubs is the right one, and one that could help local football financially.
If it happens when one of the greatest players in the history of the country does it, and more in the team where he grew up - generally good.
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