Brazilian Football Legend Ronaldo to Open Football Academy in Moscow

The academy will work with players from 4 to 18 years of age. "We will train them not only as sportsmen but also as citizens of their country," Ronaldo said.

Brazilian football player Ronaldo announced on Wednesday his plans to open a football school in Moscow to train young talented players.

"We want to open the Ronaldo Academy in Moscow," he said during an event in Moscow devoted to the upcoming 2018 FIFA World Cup.

"After the shameful defeat [1-7] by the German team at the 2014 World Cup we realized that Brazil has no true football stars. Neither has Russia. So I would like Russia to have such players," Ronaldo explained.

According to him, the academy will work with players from 4 to 18 years of age.

"We will train them not only as sportsmen but also as citizens of their country," Ronaldo pledged.

He added that the project needs investments and is open for investors.

The 38-year-old football player also said he has no plans to become a coach.

"I don’t consider myself as a coach at all," he said.

Ronaldo is believed to be one of the greatest players in football history. He is a two-time world champion for Brazil (1994 and 2002). He is three-time FIFA World Player of the Year (1996, 1997 and 2002). He also won the Ballon d’Or twice, in 1997 and again in 2002. During his career, Ronaldo played with Cruzeiro and Corinthians (Brazil), PSV (the Netherlands), Barcelona and Real (Spain), and Inter and Milan (Italy).