Ronaldo withdraws, Ednaldo Rodrigues elected CBF President

Ednaldo Rodrigues was elected head of the Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) for a second term, after his main rival, football great Ronaldo, announced he would withdraw from the race due to a lack of support from local federations.

Rodrigues used a loophole in the CBF statutes to bring the elections forward a year from the planned March 2026 date, taking advantage of Ronaldo's failed bid for leadership, it is reported, CE Report quotes Kosova Press.

With all 67 representatives voting for him, it is the first time a CBF president has been elected unanimously.

"Today we celebrate the unprecedented unity that exists today within Brazilian football," Rodrigues said at the CBF assembly, according to the Brazilian Football Confederation.

"Our job is to clean up the image of Brazilian football and I am proud that we are on the right track. Today we are setting an example that things can be done with dialogue and cohesion and we have a great chance to show the world our strength as a host country for the 2027 Women's World Cup."

The Electoral College is made up of 27 regional federations, each divided into three votes, while the 20 Serie A clubs are given two votes each and the 20 second-tier Serie B teams, one vote each.

This system was heavily criticized by Ronaldo.

"It's no coincidence that there has never been a CBF election with more than one candidate," Ronaldo said on Brazilian podcast Charla at the weekend.

"My life is football, I felt it was my duty to try to improve Brazilian football with what I had to offer. I knew it was difficult, but I didn't realize it was impossible. The system doesn't let anyone in."

Rodrigues' new mandate will only take effect from April 2026.