Brazilian football has long been accused of corruption, but when a legend like Ronaldo Nazário tries to change things and gets shut out, the outrage reaches another level. Now, his wife, Celina Locks, is leading the charge, calling out what she sees as a broken system built on political favoritism rather than progress.
For a football icon like Ronaldo, stepping into a leadership role in the sport seemed like a natural next move. But his attempt to become president of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) was over almost before it started. Shortly after announcing his candidacy, he abruptly withdrew—without even getting a real chance to make his case.
His wife, Celina Locks, didn’t hold back in her response. Furious over the treatment her husband received, she took to Instagram to call out the system in no uncertain terms.
“The system is rotten! A sitting leader who increases financial ‘support’ to the federations fivefold to secure political backing does not represent us!” she wrote.
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She criticized the regional federations for accepting what she described as mere “crumbs” from those in power, declaring that the real losers in all this were the fans and Brazilian football itself.
A Fight Against Corruption—or a Lost Cause?
Locks’ frustration didn’t end there. On her Instagram stories, she went even further, claiming that Brazil is a country “to be ashamed of” and that corruption continues to thrive in football’s highest ranks.
Her words hit home for many in Brazil, where accusations of shady dealings have dogged the sport for decades. But the bigger question remains: Can anyone— even a national hero like Ronaldo—actually break through the entrenched system?
23 Federations Said “No Thanks”
One of the most shocking revelations came from Ronaldo himself. Despite his status as a World Cup-winning legend, he struggled to even get a foot in the door.
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He revealed that he reached out to 27 regional football federations in Brazil to discuss his vision for change. The result? A staggering 23 of them refused to even meet with him.
“I couldn’t present my project, share my ideas, or have them heard the way I wanted. There was no openness for dialogue,” Ronaldo admitted.
It wasn’t just a loss for him—it was a clear sign that the system isn’t interested in change.
A Rigged Game?
Ronaldo’s failed candidacy highlights the deeper issues within Brazilian football. If even one of the country’s most celebrated players can’t get a fair shot at reform, what hope is there for real change?
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For now, Ronaldo has stepped back, but his wife has made it clear: They aren’t going quietly. Whether this sparks a larger movement or simply fades into another chapter of football’s long history of power struggles remains to be seen.
