Ronaldo once again opened the doors of his mansion in Morumbi, west of São Paulo to welcome some of his most famous friends at the Galácticos Open. The tennis tournament, organized by Fundação Fenômenos, aims to raise funds for the entity’s social projects through donations or sponsorships.
The column followed the event on Thursday (13) and found Ronaldo more relaxed than in previous years — although still averse to interviews.
After being pulled by his wife, model Celina Locks, to take photos and give a brief interview, the Phenomenon explained his wide smile: “I feel like I’m in heaven”, he said, in reference to having sold the two clubs he owned.
In April 2024, Ronaldo traded Cruzeiro, the club that introduced him to professional football, for R$600 million. In May, he signed an agreement to transfer the majority stake he had in Real Valladolid, from Spain, to a North American investment group. The values were not disclosed.
“I’m still working hard, as a brand ambassador. But without that weekend pressure of winning or losing a game, it’s a different life.” He also states that he is more committed to the Phenomena Foundation.
On Wednesday (12), he promoted the Galacticos Auction, which beat the amount raised last year. “This means that we will further increase the investment already made by the foundation”, he says.
The highest bid of the night was R$1.150 million for a lot that gives the buyer the chance to participate in the design of an exclusive work created by the artists Os Gêmeos. Influencer Virginia Fonseca arranged a meeting with her boyfriend, Vinicius Junior, for R$350,000.
Ronaldo also dedicated the Foundation’s growth to Celina, his wife, whom he refers to as a “phenomenon”. “It was one of the best surprises I had, because she is very competent, very determined, she believes in the cause. She has many flaws, but also many qualities that make me feel more and more proud.”
Celina says she had a “calling” to take charge of the project. “Since I began my relationship with Ronaldo, I have always had immense affection for the foundation. I have always been an ambassador, but five years ago he asked me to be president of the board [da instituição]with autonomy.”
For her, the secret is to treat the entity as a company. “I managed to involve other brands during my management. Ronaldo was always the supporter, of course. I also raised money from him”, he says, laughing. She also has a beauty product line, Celina Locks Beauty.
Ronaldo stayed clinging to the court railing most of the time, watching his friends play. The first match ended in victory for businessman Amilcar Lopes over singer MC Davi. During the break between games, Ronaldo insisted on opening the home bar.
The space had LED letters on the wall reading, in English, “capitalism kills love”, and served drinks with names inspired by tennis terms, such as “match point” and “deuce”. The service was from Banana Café, which has a gastrobar in Jardim Europa.
Next, Kaká and Amoroso, São Paulo idols, picked up the racket and started to serve.
During the game, Ronaldo quickly left to get an injection at a makeshift therapeutic center behind the court. The dose relieves pain in the calf caused by an injury last week. He said he would play “in sacrifice” against Denílson.
“I’m expecting the worst because I’ve done terrible planning,” he joked. “Our game has rivalry, that’s for sure. Amoroso and Kaká are killing each other here. But we have fun, have a beer afterwards and everything is fine.”
The match was decided in the super tiebreak, and Amoroso took the victory. Kaká commented that the dispute was “enjoyable”, despite the defeat. “I’ve been training for five years, twice a week. Today it’s my favorite sport,” he said.
He is more experienced than Rodrigo Santoro, who started playing tennis two years ago, and is scheduled to play in a pair with tennis player André Sá. “I’m dealing with all the complexity [do esporte] at 50 years old. The championship itself was won by Ronaldo, because I don’t have the level to be playing in any championship”, said the actor.
Denilson arrived in the afternoon and stated that he would not take it easy on the host and his injured leg. “It’s not my fault, right, dad?”, he jokes. “But it increases my responsibility. If he gets injured it will be annoying.”
He admits that nervousness appears when he enters the court. “My arm shrinks, I get stuck. I think it’s because it’s a sport I don’t dominate. In football I controlled my nervousness. In tennis, I don’t. I feel the blow.”
Ronaldo won the match.
com DIEGO ALEJANDRO, KARINA MATIAS and VICTORIA CÓCOLO
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