The second guest on Romário’s show, De Cara com o Cara, was none other than the greatest and best striker in Brazilian football history, Ronaldo Fenômeno.
The conversation went beyond World Cup memories. Fenômeno presented a bold and transformative vision for Brazilian football.
He argued that, although the national team call-ups reflect the best Brazil has to offer, there is no structured plan to allow the protagonists to truly shine. In other words: the team needs to play for Neymar, with the same commitment that led Argentina to their World Cup title in 2022.
This point should be obvious to every Brazilian. Neymar is the last great star Brazil has produced and our best chance of winning another World Cup. Ignoring this means forming an opinion influenced by factors unrelated to football—which would be acceptable if we were discussing any other subject.
Back to Fenômeno: he considers it shameful that the CBF, such an important institution, remains stagnant and increasingly distanced from the people. He argues that Brazilian football has much room for growth as an industry, yet we have been stuck for years with little investment and failing to tap into the enormous potential of our talent factory.
Ronaldo dreams of a CBF that modernizes itself and becomes an entity that truly breathes football for all of Brazil. We need innovation, effective management, and a real commitment to the future of the sport, investing in every aspect—from referee training to the creation of a league, which must happen as soon as possible to remove the CBF from the center of everything.
But tackling these issues is no easy task.
The situation we face is clear: it is undeniable that the current CBF management has been marked by a series of questionable decisions and underwhelming results, raising serious doubts about the competence of those in power.
The repeated mistakes and the lack of consistent solutions for Brazilian football’s problems highlight a concerning level of incompetence — one that must be urgently addressed for the sake of the sport.
Ednaldo Rodrigues took over the presidency of the CBF under suspicion of electoral fraud and remains in office only due to a Supreme Court ruling. His background in football is purely administrative, far removed from the reality of those who live and breathe the game on the field.
He disrespected the most prestigious jersey in world football by waiting for an Italian coach who never came.
Then, he appointed Fernando Diniz — a coach who needs time to implement his style — only to fire him after six games, with two wins, three losses, and a draw.
Brazil’s hope is called Ronaldo Fenômeno — the greatest and best number 9 in our history. A two-time World Cup and Copa América champion, he is synonymous with passion and transformation.
The change he proposes is urgent. Brazilian football must return to the people — simple, vibrant, and transformative. It is unacceptable that the organization meant to represent the spirit of our football is so disconnected from reality and the fans.
Ronaldo Fenômeno is not just a legendary ex-player. He is the hope for a new chapter — one where management is led by someone who understands the soul of football and has experienced its true emotions firsthand. If the CBF truly wants to transform the sport, reconnect the national team with its supporters, and invest in all aspects of the industry, perhaps it’s time to put a true champion in charge.