Brazilian football legends Ronaldo Nazário and Roberto Carlos are part of a Saudi-backed investor group that has agreed to acquire Inter de Limeira, a club currently playing in Brazil's second division. The deal is valued at R$454 million (about $82 million). The group's stated aim is to push the club into the top flight of Brazilian football.
The investor lineup
Ronaldo, a two-time World Cup winner, and Roberto Carlos, his former Real Madrid teammate, are joining forces with Saudi investors to take over Inter de Limeira. The club, based in the city of Limeira in São Paulo state, has a modest history but now finds itself at the center of a high-profile acquisition. The R$454 million price tag reflects the ambition behind the move.
Neither Ronaldo nor Roberto Carlos has publicly commented on the deal yet. The investors are expected to finalize the purchase in the coming weeks, pending regulatory approvals. The group has not disclosed the exact breakdown of ownership or the Saudi partners' identities.
Why Inter de Limeira?
Inter de Limeira has spent most of its existence in lower divisions, with a brief stint in Brazil's top division in the 1980s. The club's infrastructure and fan base are considered solid, but it lacks the financial muscle to compete with giants like Flamengo or Palmeiras. The new investment is meant to change that.
The group's goal is clear: promotion to Brazil's Série A. That would require finishing in the top four of the second division, or winning the title. The club currently sits mid-table in the 2024 season, so the task is steep but not impossible with fresh resources.
What the money buys
The R$454 million will cover the acquisition of the club's controlling stake, plus an initial injection for squad upgrades, stadium improvements, and youth academy development. The investors are also expected to bring in a new technical staff and possibly a high-profile coach.
Ronaldo already has experience as a club owner. He bought a controlling stake in Cruzeiro in 2021 and helped revive the club after a financial crisis. Roberto Carlos, meanwhile, has been involved in football management and ambassadorial roles. Their combined clout could attract sponsors and players to Inter de Limeira.
The Saudi connection adds another layer. Saudi Arabia has been investing heavily in global sports, from football to golf to Formula 1. This deal marks a rare foray into Brazilian club football, a market that has traditionally been dominated by local investors and a few foreign groups.
The next step for the group is to secure approval from the Brazilian Football Confederation and complete the transfer of shares. After that, the real work begins: building a squad capable of winning promotion. The 2025 season will be the first full test of their plan.
