Honorary citizen, Ronaldo declares himself to Cruzeiro in tribute: “Opportunity of a lifetime” | cruise

With the presence of fans and officials, Ronaldo Fenômeno received the title of honorary citizen of Minas Gerais in a ceremony at the Legislative Assembly of Minas Gerais. In his speech, the Cruzeiro manager declared himself to the club and said that the club had opened the door to the opportunity of a lifetime. Furthermore, he said that, currently, Raposa is part of his future projects.

Ronaldo follows Cruzeiro training on the eve of the classic

– It was here that I entered the field for the first time as a professional at 16 years old. It’s not in my speech, but this was also my first girlfriend (laughs). It was here that I was sure that my dreams were possible and from here I set out to achieve them. From Cruzeiro, I received the greatest opportunity of my life. Go out and make history – said Ronaldo.

The ceremony was attended by Cruzeiro officials, some fans and businessman Pedro Lourenço. The Phenomenon said he came back and wrote a chapter of overcoming the club.

– I came back like a good son that the house returns. For believing in Cruzeiro’s return. I came back to be part of the change in Brazilian football. We wrote a beautiful chapter of overcoming together. We continue to face difficult, challenging times, with many lessons along the way, in the mission of rebuilding a giant on and off the field. I really changed my life to embark on the project. This land is part of my routine and my plans.

Since the end of December 2021, Ronaldo has become Cruzeiro’s majority shareholder, purchasing 90% of SAF’s shares, with the promise of financial contributions of up to R$400 million in the coming years in Cruzeiro’s management. The former player took over the club in the Brazilian Series B.

In charge of Cruzeiro, he managed to win the Série B title of the Brazilian Championship in 2022, after Raposa spent three years in Série B. In the same year, he led the team to the final of the Campeonato Mineiro. Last year, he failed to win titles, but led Raposa to a place in the Copa Sudamericana.

As a player, Ronaldo turned professional at Cruzeiro in 1993, aged 16. A year later, still as a player for the Minas Gerais club, he played in his first World Cup, in the United States.

For Cruzeiro, there were 56 goals in 58 games. He was part of the 1993 Copa do Brasil champion squad and was the top scorer in the 1994 Campeonato Mineiro title.