Chennai: Ronaldinho arrived in the city to grace the inaugural edition of PremierFutsal tournament. He has also won FIFA Ballon d’Or for two times.
The 36-year-old Brazilian great will represent Goa 5’s asthe franchise’s marquee player. Sporting a casual t-shirt, shorts and studs, the formerBarcelona and AC Milan star was swamped by the waiting mediaas he stepped out of the international airport late lastnight.
The 2002 World Cup winner looked calm as he obliged thelensmen by posing for photographs, even as the bouncers andpolice jostled around. The organisers had arranged for a Rolls Royce to pick upthe legendary footballer with league CEO, AbhinandanBalasubraminian present to receive the player.
Chennai International Airport was the place of attentionas other renowned footballers Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs andHernan Crespo all arrived one by one.
Premier Futsal, a franchise-based international (a formof football being played indoors on a smaller field with fiveplayers in a side for 40-minute duration) tournament andpromoted by an entity formed by Indian entrepreneurs, hasattracted some of the world’s well known former footballstars.
It has Portuguese football legend Luis Figo as presidentand Indian cricket star Virat Kohli as ambassador. The inaugural season kicks off here tomorrow and move toGoa on July 18. The final will take place in Goa on July 24.
PTI