Chengdu (China), Nov 15 (IANS): Brazilian great Ronaldo will open football schools in three Chinese cities including Beijing and Shanghai, by the end of this year, the head of the project has said.

"Our first schools will be located in Beijing, Shanghai and Mianyang (in southwest China's Sichuan province), and they are expected to start operation in December," said Paulo Swerts, who will manage Ronaldo's football schools in China, reports Xinhua.

Ronaldo, who announced in September his plan to open 30 football schools in China, arrived in Mianyang on Saturday together with business partner and Brazilian billionaire Carlos Wizard Martins to take part in a promotional event held in a local middle school.

Paulo here on Saturday that they'll cooperate with 30 schools in China by providing coaching staff.

The Ronaldo Academy, jointly founded by Ronaldo and Carlos, is expected to open 100 football schools worldwide by 2020, with eight to be established in Brazil, the United States and China this year.