Brazil Legend Ronaldo to Ride Bike for 500km After His Club Was Promoted to La Liga

Brazil Legend Ronaldo to Ride Bike for 500km After His Club Was Promoted to La Liga

Fred Kennedy
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:04 PM
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  • Ex-Brazil footballer Ronaldo is set to cycle for 500 kilometres in honour of Real Valladolid after their promotion to the Spanish top flight
  • The former striker is understood to have promised to embark on the gruelling journey if the club earned their top-flight status
  • Real Valladolid were promoted after they finished second on the LaLiga 2 standings with 81 points during the just-concluded season
  • Ronaldo is understood to have kick-started his journey at Valladolid's Estadio Jose Zorrilla stadium alongside his wife

Brazil football legend Ronaldo de Lima has embarked on a 500km-bike ride to fulfil a promise he made following Real Valladolid's promotion to the La Liga.

Valladolid were promoted back to the Spanish top flight after they finished second on the LaLiga 2 standings with 81 points after 42 rounds of matches.

Ronaldo celebrates after scoring a goal for Brazil. Photo by Mark Leech.
Ronaldo celebrates after scoring a goal for Brazil. Photo by Mark Leech.
Source: Getty Images

The Juan José Rojo Martín-tutored side racked up 81 points on level with Almeria who finished top on the log.

Ronaldo's promise to Real Valladolid

According to the Daily Mail, Ronaldo promised to undertake a 500km gruelling bike ride from the Spanish City of Valladolid to Santiago de Compostela if his club secured promotion.

It is understood the World Cup icon made the vow after the club was relegated to the second tier at the end of the season.

He has now resolved to fulfil his pledge, with The Guardian reporting the former striker is doing this in honour of his club's effort to return to the top flight.

Speaking on accomplishing the challenge, the former Brazil international admitted he understands it will be no feat to achieve it.

"I promised that if we came back (to LaLiga), I would do the Camino de Santiago," the 45-year-old Brazilian was quoted saying.
"I will do it by bike as I can't run. My wife and I will leave from Valladolid on Sunday and travel to Santiago de Compostela by bicycle. I know that I will suffer physically but it will be an unforgettable experience," he added.

Mendy excited after meeting Ronaldo

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Edouard Mendy has shared his excitement after meeting former Real Madrid and Brazil forward Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima.

The Chelsea and Senegal goalkeeper met the legendary striker in Davos at the World Economic Forum, which was making a return after a two-year hiatus.

Mendy took to social media to express gratitude to FIFA and CAF for giving him the opportunity to speak at the forum and also share the stage with the 'Fenomeno'.

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Fred Kennedy
Fred Kennedy has a Bachelor's degree in journalism (Daystar University), currently working as a Sports Editor. He has more than five years of experience in digital journalism.