Ronaldo group wins approval for 80% of Inter de Limeira SAF
Inter de Limeira members have approved the sale of 80% of the club’s SAF to an investor group involving Ronaldo Nazário and Roberto Carlos, creating another control transaction in Brazil’s rapidly evolving football ownership market.
Inter de Limeira members have approved the sale of 80% of the club’s SAF, with the association retaining the remaining 20% under the proposed ownership structure.The transaction was backed by 53 votes to one, clearing a major governance hurdle for the group led by Enrico Ambrogini and including Ronaldo Nazário and Roberto Carlos.The association said in a translated statement: “From today, a new chapter begins.”The club said the process had been designed to create greater legal certainty, governance, sustainability and protection for Inter de Limeira’s sporting and institutional interests.The involvement of Ronaldo is notable given his previous ownership experience with Cruzeiro and Real Valladolid, while Roberto Carlos adds another high-profile former Brazil international to the investor group.A previously circulated R$454m figure should not be treated as a guaranteed capital commitment into the club. That number relates to a ten-year business plan and revenue projection, while the actual amount to be contributed by investors has remained confidential.The distinction is important because Brazilian SAF transactions can combine acquisition consideration, future investment, debt assumptions and projected operating revenue under headline figures that do not represent immediately committed cash.The approved structure nevertheless transfers majority control of football operations to outside investors while preserving a 20% institutional stake for the association.Brazil’s SAF legislation has accelerated investment by allowing clubs to separate football operations into corporate entities capable of receiving external capital.Inter de Limeira now move into that ownership model with an investor group carrying significant football recognition but without publicly disclosed acquisition consideration or binding capital schedules.The next commercial milestone will be completion of the transaction and disclosure of how the new owners intend to fund operations, infrastructure and long-term growth.