Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo reacts during their Spanish First Division soccer match against Malaga at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid March 18, 2012. – Reuters Photo.

SAO PAULO: Former Brazil star Ronaldo, a member of the local organizing committee of the 2014 World Cup, on Monday registered his interest in becoming president of the country's football federation.

“I would like to begin my political career in football. I want to become a football politician,” he was quoted as saying in an interview in the Folha de Sao Paulo daily.

Ricardo Teixeira, who led the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) since 1989, stepped down this month and also resigned his post as head of the organizing committee.

His 22-year stewardship of CBF was marred by controversy, with repeated calls for his resignation amid allegations of financial irregularities in Brazil and abroad.

His deputy Jose Maria Marin has taken over.

Ronaldo, who won the World Cup with Brazil in 2002, said he did not know whether he would be a candidate for the presidency but if the CBF asked him “I would accept”.