‘I know I will suffer’: Brazil’s Ronaldo begins epic cycle to honour Valladolid

The legendary Brazilian striker 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 back into La Liga.

The former striker bought a 51% stake in Valladolid in 2018 and made the vow after the club was relegated from Spain’s top flight last season.

“I promised that if we came back [to La Liga], I would do the Camino de Santiago,” he said on Friday. “I will do it by bike as I can’t run. My wife and I will leave from Valladolid on Sunday and travel to Santiago de Compostela by bicycle.”

Ronaldo and his partner were expected to travel several dozen kilometers a day along the traditional pilgrimage route that leads to a famous shrine in northwestern Spain. Ronaldo began the trip at Valladolid’s stadium, 450km from Santiago de Compostela.

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

Ronaldo, who also owns a controlling stake in his boyhood club Cruzeiro, retired from playing in 2011 after an 18-year career that saw him win two World Cups and turn out for many of Europe’s major clubs including Barcelona and Real Madrid.