Ronaldinho visits Kolkata, inaugurates Durga Puja Pandal

Add as a preferred source on Google

Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho visited Kolkata during the festive month of Durga Puja and inaugurated the famous Sreebhumi Durga Puja Pandal on Monday (October 16). The 2002 World Cup winner received a warm welcome from fans at the Puja pandal in the city.

The legendary footballer also played football with the Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Sujit Bose. The 2005 Ballon d'Or winner offered prayers at the Sreebhumi Durga Puja Pandal today after inaugurating it. The Brazilian footballer has landed in the city which is gearing up for the biggest festival of the State.

Earlier today he inaugurated the 'Ronaldinho's R10 Academy' in West Bengal's capital city where children thronged to get a glimpse of the football legend. Ronaldinho got himself dressed up in casual shorts, a loosely-fitted navy blue T-shirt, and topping it with his signature snapback cap.

"Muchas gracias. Mucho carino (many thanks, much affection)," the 'King of Jogo Bonito' conveyed with 'I Love You' gesture with his goofy smile captivating his fans who followed him everywhere he went.

Ronaldinho also paid floral tributes to a statue of Argentine icon Diego Maradona who also had enthralled Kolkata's football fans during his twin visits in 2008 and 2017.

Calling on Mamata Banerjee was the next on Ronaldinho's agenda, as he headed to the West Bengal chief minister's residence in Kalighat where officials of the 'Big Three' clubs -- Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Mohammedan Sporting -- welcomed him.

"The CM briefed him about the clubs' century-old legacies, and he appeared deeply engrossed. The CM also requested him to consider sending more Brazilian players to Kolkata to elevate the standards of the game. We all presented him with club jerseys," East Bengal's top official, Nitu Sarkar, told PTI.

Ronaldinho also met with East Bengal sponsors later in the day. The sporting legend who arrived here on his first-ever visit to the city on Sunday evening is slated to participate in several programs and also likely to meet with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

The football-crazy city has previously welcomed legends including Pele, Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi. Earlier this month, while announcing his plans to visit Kolkata on Facebook, he stated that he would be visiting the Sree Bhumi Sporting Club.

In 2004, and 2005, the footballer was voted FIFA World Player of the Year, and he won the World Cup with Brazil in 2002 and the Champions League with Barcelona in 2006.

- Agencies