Brazilian football legend Ronaldo begins nearly 500 km journey to honor Real Valladolid

By Emre Asikci

ISTANBUL (AA) - Ronaldo Nazario began a nearly 500-km (310-mile) bicycle trip in honor of Real Valladolid after his club clinched promotion to La Liga.

"I promised that if we came back, I would do the Camino de Santiago. I will do it by bike as I can't run," Ronaldo said on Instagram.

"My wife and I will leave from Valladolid on Sunday and travel to Santiago de Compostela by bicycle. It will be beautiful. I know that I will suffer physically, but it will be an unforgettable experience," he added.

The 45-year-old became the majority owner of Real Valladolid in 2018 after purchasing 51% of the Spanish side's shares.

Valladolid were relegated from La Liga one year ago but returned after they finished runner-up in the second division with 81 points.

He was one of the legendary football figures in the 1990s and 2000s, playing for PSV Eindhoven, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Italian archrivals Inter Milan and AC Milan as well as the Brazilian national team.

The 1994 and 2002 FIFA World Cup-winning player netted 62 goals in 98 international appearances for Brazil.