Picture Credit: Twitter
The Spanish football club, Real Valladolid’s President Ronaldo Nazario is a man of his words and he showed it by fulfilling his promise to cycle for 500 km after his team got a promotion to La Liga. The Brazilian completed his journey on Wednesday and earned praise for staying true to his words. Notably, Ronaldo had promised that he would make the pilgrimage to the Santiago de Compostela in Galicia after Real Valladolid were relegated last season.
Ronaldo Nazario had his partner Celina Locks, a physio, a mechanic, and support personnel to accompany him on one of the most popular walking routes in Spain, what is known as the ‘Winter Path’ from Valladolid’s Jose Zorrilla stadium to Santiago by eBike. Starting on Monday, Ronaldo undertook the journey in four 50km stages and finished it with some sore muscles.
“A lot of sore muscles and pains, in my arse too. But it was worth it. I’ve thought a thousand things during these days. This year we have worked very hard with Valladolid and we achieved a return to Primera.”
It’s time to work: Ronaldo
After completing this long journey, Ronaldo Nazario was straight back talking about work and said he doesn’t want anything to be left in the preparations. He emphasized the importance of putting up a good team with the level going up.
“The journey was hard, but now Fran Sanchez, my Sporting Director, will also have it hard with the signings. We have to put together a good team to be competitive. It’s time to work, the year will be long and hard because the level is going up,” said Ronaldo Nazario.
“I have been disconnected from my phone but we have the market under control. Tonight I will speak with Fran to get up to date with everything,” he added.
Ronaldo says he will do it again!
The Real Valladolid President seems to have enjoyed his journey and is up for the pilgrimage again. “The cathedral is beautiful, here you note the emotion and the energy of the people. I didn’t expect this reception and spectacular support. We have got to know some incredible stories of people with a lot of faith. Maybe I will do the pilgrimage again, walking next time.”