Cruzeiro crowned himself champion of the Série B on Friday – without taking action –. With six rounds to go, number two Grémio can no longer trace the current leader. It is the ultimate crowning glory for Cruzeiro’s resurrection, which dangled on the brink of collapse at the end of 2021. Owner Ronaldo was therefore in all states when celebrating the title.
Grêmio’s defeat at Sampaio Corrêa was enough for Cruzeiro to uncork the champagne. As a result, raposa back at the highest Brazilian level after three years. An unexpected scenario, as Cruzeiro was still in the middle of a financial and administrative crisis at the end of 2021. Ronaldo, who also owns Spain’s Real Valladolid, jumped in to help his childhood sweetheart. The former top striker took over the majority of the share package for a sloppy sixty million euros.
O Phenomeno decided to sweep the broom by staff and board. Trainer Vanderlei Luxemburgo received his congé, as did technical director Ricardo Rocha. It didn’t matter to Ronaldo that the two old acquaintances were his. The reforms within the club quickly bore fruit. While Cruzeiro finished fourteenth in the Série B last season, the national championship was secured early this year.
“I’m still speechless,” Ronaldo wrote on Twitter. “I’m trying to process everything we’ve been through over the past few months. We, the blue nation. From the board to the supporters. From the technical staff to the stands. From the backstage to the field. In the nine months that the reconstruction project will take, this is the best possible result. In my life it’s another chapter about ‘winning through football’. Let’s go for more! Much more!”, is the credo of the two-time Ballon d’Or winner. In the 56 years that the club has existed, Cruzeiro has become champion of the Série A four times and winner of the Copa Libertadores twice.
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