Ronaldo begins to pay his promise for Valladolid’s promotion

By: The Associated Press Posted: 6:35 AM CDT Sunday, Jun. 5, 2022 Last Modified: 6:35 AM CDT Sunday, Jun. 5, 2022

MADRID (AP) — Former Brazil great Ronaldo began a long bicycle trip from Valladolid to Santiago de Compostela on Sunday to keep a promise he made in case of his club’s promotion in the Spanish league.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 05/06/2022 (1581 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Ronaldo and his partner were expected to travel several dozen kilometers (miles) a day along the traditional pilgrimage route that leads to a famous shrine in northwestern Spain.

Ronaldo began the trip at Valladolid’s stadium, some 450 kilometers (280 miles) away from Santiago de Compostela.

FILE - Valladolid's president Ronaldo waves prior to the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and Valladolid at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019. When Brazil great Ronaldo bought Spanish club Valladolid five years ago, the idea was to turn the modest side into a solid team in the top tier playing alongside the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona. After being relegated at the end of the 2020-2021 campaign, on Sunday, May 29, 2022 Valladolid can seal its return to Spain’s major league. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez, File)

“It will be beautiful,” he told Spanish media. “I know that I will suffer physically, but it will be an unforgettable experience.”

Ronaldo said he vowed to make the trip after Valladolid was relegated last season.

He and his partner will be accompanied by other people who will help them during the journey.

Ronaldo, a two-time World Cup winner and a former Real Madrid and Barcelona striker, bought a 51% stake in the club in 2018 when Valladolid was still in the first division.