Is Brazilian footballer Ronaldinho coming to Pakistan?

E-Paper | April 30, 2026

Renowned Brazilian footballer Ronaldinho in a short video message shared to his official Twitter account on Sunday announced: "Pakistan, I'm coming."

According to DawnNews, Ronaldinho is expected to play exhibition matches in Pakistan, for which an agreement has been reached with the organisers.

The footballer hashtagged #leisureleaguespk and tagged @leisureleagues ─ "Europe's 'largest provider' of five-a-side and six-a-side football with more than 250 leagues across the United Kingdom, Ireland and the United States."

Leisure Leagues in May 2016 unveiled a campaign to expand the brand to Pakistan this year.

Ronaldinho won FIFA's Football Player of the Year award for two consecutive years in 2004 and 2005.

He has played for Brazil in 97 matches, and was a member of the winning team in the 2002 World Cup.

Brazilian football coach Romildo Sanchez was in Pakistan in January this year training young footballers.

Dawn.com has reached out to Leisure Leagues for further information.

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Nadeem

Mar 12, 2017 09:29pm

We welcome you to Pakistan :-)

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Ali Zaidi

Mar 12, 2017 09:38pm

Pakistan welcomes you legend. Please check out the hidden talent of Layari in Karachi.

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Shahzaib Latif

Mar 12, 2017 09:42pm

I am very ecstatic to hear this news! Where the exibition match is expected to be played?

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Skkk

Mar 12, 2017 09:56pm

Great! We welcome you!!!!!!!

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Skkk

Mar 12, 2017 10:03pm

we are counting days till you arrive!!!

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salahuddin

Mar 12, 2017 10:00pm

Welcome to Pakistan

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kingatwill

Mar 12, 2017 10:54pm

I am sick and tired of hearing about the overrated hidden talent of Pakistan which never comes to surface! Such superiority complex is a fatal contagious disease this nation suffers from. No offence, a mere reality check!

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flipflop

Mar 12, 2017 11:47pm

This is good news ! It will definitely kick start football game on a greater level and I am sure Pakistan will be able to compete internationally on a larger scale particularly in FIFA. We need such activities to ensure that our kids are busy with activities that brings health benefits along with developing them in to better people. Education, music, and sports are things that can help bind this nation together and we need more of this. Visits of International players to Pakistan can spark interest in sports in our youth and future generations.

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SMI

Mar 12, 2017 11:59pm

Amazing !

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McChrist

Mar 13, 2017 12:47am

Ronaldinho has already played futsal league in India n was about to become a part of ISL.

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Satyameva Jayate

Mar 13, 2017 12:48am

Good News. This will pike Pak youth's interest in playing Football, a poor man's sport. All it requires is a Football and Spirit for Sports.

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Jashmjjk

Mar 13, 2017 01:03am

Pakistan is ranked 198 out of 205 countries in fifa rankings...

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Jashmjjk

Mar 13, 2017 01:04am

@kingatwill well said..i do keep hearing tat too a lot ...very very delusional people

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Noah

Mar 13, 2017 01:38am

@kingatwill No offences but have you ever played football in Pakistan at provincial level? Buddy I think there is a lot of hidden talent in Pakistan, its all about if you invest on that talent which we don't and then obviously its going to be hidden forever. At then end of the day it all comes to down investment into that sport. Ronaldinhio coming to Pakistan is a very big thing, its going to promote love for the game.

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Rajesh

Mar 13, 2017 02:00am

Maybe, this guy is short of cash and probably has some death wish.. Or maybe he has taken a big life insurance??

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bye BYE

Mar 13, 2017 03:30am

Just a visit by a super star of yesteryears is no good until you develop the infrastructure required to promote the game and groom the talent.

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M. Emad

Mar 13, 2017 03:48am

Ronaldinho is coming Bangladesh !

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ABDULRAHMAN

Mar 13, 2017 03:55am

@flipflop -No doubt! However, there is a situation called peace that Pakistan needs currently. Hidden talent or talent is something that almost each and everyone posses provided that they should be given proper training, motivation and opportunity. No need to boast about the talent. Further, there are numerous games in Olympics - does ministry of sports know how many games are there in the Olympics and isn't it a shameful that you as a nation do not part in all the games? People pay attention and admire when a name of a country is taken with a player - and they say - oh my god - does Pakistan really have this talent! Then it's a matter or pride.

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ASIM ALI

Mar 13, 2017 03:58am

We welcome you champ, It would be awesome to have him here,

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Azmeen

Mar 13, 2017 05:15am

We welcome you to Pakistan. Thank you.

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IMTIAZ ALI KHAN

Mar 13, 2017 05:46am

Good one now this is a good news, as he is a world class footballer. Millions of Pakistanis love football so much and they seem to be always in love with Brazil. Lyari Karachi has so many Brazilians flags every time world cup fifa takes place.

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Pragmatic approach

Mar 13, 2017 06:14am

Ronaldinho you are more than welcome. Come visit Karachi a place called " Lyari" where guys similiar to Africans dwells,and they love football to optimum. The talent is there, just a legend like you can pick diamonds amongst these talented jewels.Besides you can visit Quetta,Hyderabad,Multan,Lahore,Faisalabad,Rawalpindi,Peshawer,you are most welcome for promoting football in Pakistan.

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anonymouse

Mar 13, 2017 07:47am

I cannot believe my eyes. This is just AWESOME. I will make it a point to go see him in action inshallah.

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BANGASH

Mar 13, 2017 09:07am

This is such a great news. He could possibly highlight Pakistani talent from Baluchistan and KPK as we have real good football players across the country. Most welcome to warm hearted peoples country.

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Ind

Mar 13, 2017 09:39am

great

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Shuaib

Mar 13, 2017 10:01am

Welcome boss.

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Chris Roberts

Mar 13, 2017 10:01am

This is very exciting news, and who knows - other internationally known players may well follow suit. Could be the beginning of a turnaround for Pakistani football.

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Comment reader

Mar 13, 2017 01:26pm

Indians and Bangladeshis are one insecure lot. Wouldn't be reading same silly comments if Ronaldinho was visiting Australia, UK, Japan or for that matter Mogadishu.

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BORED

Mar 13, 2017 01:44pm

@Comment reader Honestly none of us care about Pakistan cos Pakistanis are a sad lot. They scream achievement even at holding PSL final in own country.

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I want to also come

Mar 13, 2017 09:22pm

I love ù ronaldinho me and my father come to leisure league and we. Also play in half time ok thx ù leisure league

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