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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.
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (30) Closed
Mar 12, 2017 09:29pm
We welcome you to Pakistan :-)
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Mar 12, 2017 09:38pm
Pakistan welcomes you legend. Please check out the hidden talent of Layari in Karachi.
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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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Mar 12, 2017 09:56pm
Great!
We welcome you!!!!!!!
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Mar 12, 2017 10:03pm
we are counting days till you arrive!!!
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Mar 12, 2017 10:00pm
Welcome to Pakistan
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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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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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Mar 12, 2017 11:59pm
Amazing !
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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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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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Mar 13, 2017 01:03am
Pakistan is ranked 198 out of 205 countries in fifa rankings...
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Mar 13, 2017 01:04am
@kingatwill well said..i do keep hearing tat too a lot ...very very delusional people
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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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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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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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Mar 13, 2017 03:48am
Ronaldinho is coming Bangladesh !
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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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Mar 13, 2017 03:58am
We welcome you champ,
It would be awesome to have him here,
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Mar 13, 2017 05:15am
We welcome you to Pakistan. Thank you.
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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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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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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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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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Mar 13, 2017 09:39am
great
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Mar 13, 2017 10:01am
Welcome boss.
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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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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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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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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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