KARACHI: The team led by Ronaldinho won against Ryan Giggs’ team by 2-1 in the first international football match in Pakistan at Abdul Sattar Edhi Hockey Stadium, Karachi, on Saturday.
The highly anticipated match between ‘Ronaldinho-7′ and ‘Ryan Giggs-7’ featured eight international footballers who are dubbed as “Ronaldinho and Friends”. Both the teams were a mix-up of foreign and local players.
Scores FT Ronaldinho VII (2-1)
And the Winner is Pakistan!!#RonaldinhoAndFriends #LeisureLeaguesPK pic.twitter.com/GBwu4sB7Lq— Leisure Leagues PK (@leisureleaguepk) July 8, 2017
The eight of football’s biggest stars have arrived to play two exhibition matches in Pakistan in a bid to attract more footballers from cricket-mad country.
Recently retired Ronaldinho, famous for his stints with Spanish club Barcelona, is the lead attraction among the “Ronaldinho and Friends” who will play their second match in Lahore on Sunday.
Former Manchester United stalwart Ryan Giggs, Brazilian Roberto Carlos, former England goalkeeper David James, Dutch star George Boateng, former French players Robert Pires and Nicolas Anelka, and Portuguese player Luis Boa Morte complete the line-up.
Read More: ‘Ronaldinho and friends’ to play exhibition matches in Pakistan
Ronaldinho, 37, who won the World Player of the Year twice and was part of the 2002 World Cup winning team, said he is on a goodwill mission aimed at inducing youngsters to play the game.
“I am excited at the prospect of playing in Pakistan,” he said in a statement.
“This is a great opportunity for us to induce youngsters in Pakistan and we will do our best to do that.”
CEO Leisure Leagues, Ishaq Shah said that this event will help in many ways to promote the game of football in Pakistan.
