Roberto Carlos and Ronaldo Acquire Internacional de Limeira
Brazilian football legends Roberto Carlos and Ronaldo are set to purchase Internacional de Limeira, a historic club currently playing in Brazil’s third division. The announcement was made by Roberto Carlos during an interview on the Wamo channel’s program Debate em Jogo, where he revealed the collaboration includes Enrico and two other partners from Africa and the Arab world.
The Vision for Revitalization
Roberto Carlos expressed their intent to gradually “get involved in the football of the interior” of Brazil. Their goals are to continue developing top talent for the Brazilian national team and to reorganize local clubs. Carlos referenced União São João, the club where he played as a teenager, emphasizing his desire to contribute to revitalizing clubs in the region by securing sponsorships and enhancing the quality of local football.
Internacional de Limeira, a modest club based in the interior of São Paulo, enjoyed its golden years in the 1980s, famously winning the Campeonato Paulista in 1986 and the second division championship in 1988. Currently, the team leads the Série C of the Brasileirão, having amassed 25 points over 14 matches, placing them ahead of contenders Brusque and Santa Cruz.
A Club with Rich History and Future Aspirations
Founded on October 5, 1913, Associação Atlética Internacional emerged from a local team known as ‘Barroquinha’. The club adopted its name to pay homage to the Japanese, Italian, German, and Portuguese immigrants who settled in the area. The acquisition by Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos aligns with a broader trend in Brazilian football, where an increasing number of clubs are shifting towards a sociedad anónima model—transforming into private companies.
Ronaldo brings a wealth of experience in sports management to this venture. He initially entered the football administration arena in December 2021 by purchasing Cruzeiro de Belo Horizonte, a club pivotal to his development as a player, before selling it in April 2024. He also previously acquired control of Real Valladolid in 2018, although he divested his interest last year amidst challenges faced by the Spanish club.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Internacional de Limeira
Carlos and Ronaldo’s endeavor to acquire Internacional de Limeira signals not only a passion for football but also a larger commitment to uplift Brazilian football at its grassroots. Their joint effort aims to revive a once-thriving football culture, fostering young talents and ensuring clubs have the resources they need to succeed. As they embark on this new journey, both Roberto Carlos and Ronaldo hope to re-create a robust footballing landscape reminiscent of their illustrious careers.
While challenges lie ahead in transforming Internacional de Limeira into a competitive force, the legends’ deep understanding of the sport suggests promising possibilities for their new venture. The footballing world will undoubtedly keep a close eye on how their journey unfolds in the coming years.