In a written statement handed out by Ronaldinho to the media in Panaji on Monday, he revealed that it was unfortunate that just when he was getting into his groove and getting to know the country better, he had to go back, as his country needed him. It was announced that with the paralympics committee honouring him to be an ambassador in Brazil, it was imperative that he headed back to Brazil. The Brazilian stated that he was delighted to spend the few days he was in India and promote the game he grew up playing
The Goan Network
Panaji
A much-celebrated Brazilian footballer, Ronaldinho needs no introduction to the most popular world sport. But few may know in the country, alike most Brazilians growing up he began by playing futsal. In fact, he first came under the Fourth Estate attention when he scored an unbelievable record of sorts scoring all the goals in a 23-0 whitewash in a futsal game in a local match when only 13.
Cut to recent times, he landed in Chennai on the eve of the inaugural season of Premier Futsal League on July 14.
Next day, when he set foot on the playing surface for match 2 of the first day of the unique, multi-national futsal league, he was the cynosure of all eyes. What more, renowned international futsallers from the opposition wanted a piece of him in a camera frame which was all the more awe-inspiring.
Come to the match leading his Goa 5s side against Hernan Crespo’s Kolkata 5s, he looked a drop in the ocean. His fluidity on the field was found wanting. A lead-footed leader was uninspiring to the extent of agonizing the masses who came with high expectations from him in action. But for the stray glimpse of fancy feet with the ball, he was all but at sea as the otherwise celebrated international futsallers cast in the silhouettes at the outset by his overbearing presence put him firmly in the shadow.
Come the next game, on July 17, a charged up ‘Dinho’ brought out all his creative skills, deceptive dribbles and dazzling runs with the ball to set the stadium alight with a five-star effort. This effectively bringing Goa 5s alive in Group B.
With the futsal caravan moving next day to Goa, his fans here with a Brazilian-Portugal fan base, looked for an encore of a ‘Dinho’ show on the Goa leg starting July 19 against Kolkata, a team that outplayed them in the earlier outing.
This roving reporter along with his photographer, were the only media present for the arrival of the Premier Futsal League players at the Dabolim airport on Monday. When the Goa 5s team landed at Dabolim airport in the afternoon, other teams also began to walk out of the exit lounge. The legends “ Falcao, Salgado, Crespo, Giggs, Scholes quietly went without much notice. But save for ‘Dinho’ with news reaching out thick and fast he would be coming out any soon. But that was not to be, while The Goan stayed put till quarter to five, news came in that ‘Dinho’ would possibly arrive later in the day.
But at a press conference at a starred hotel Monday evening, ‘The Magician of Football’ had done a Houdini act and had taken a flight home.
From facts later gathered by the media, it was learnt that only two days earlier, he had expressed his regret to the PFL that he would like to head back to his native country though his heart willed to stay on.
In a written statement handed out by the Brazilian legend to the media he revealed that it was unfortunate that just when he was getting into his groove and getting to know the country better, he had to go back, as his country needed him.
It was announced that with the paralympics committee honouring him to be an ambassador in Brazil, it was imperative that he headed back to Brazil. He stated that he was delighted to spend the few days he was in India and promote the game he grew up playing.
“I will be back for Season 2 of Premier Futsal, much stronger," he promised.
In a video footage shown to the media present at the press conference, Ronaldinho thanked Premier Football League and the people of India for their love and respect, wishing them good luck in the days ahead in the tourney.
Dinesh Raj, Managing Director, Premier Futsal had this to say. “Ronaldinho has a three-year plus contract with us. We tried to push his stay with us at the ongoing first season in the PFL, to the extent we had pre-booked his return flight two days hence but to no avail.”
But with the disappointment of ‘Dinho’ unable to entertain his legion of fans in Goa, Raj stated that Cafu was a note-worthy replacement. ‘Falcao’ “ the world’s best futsaller and with the League has gone on record on recommending the former Brazilian defender. “Cafu plays with ‘Falcao’ futsal on a weekly basis,” he had to say. Thus giving every indication that all is not lost for Goa 5s, and there is another inspirational leader soon to take up the reins of Goa 5s. But that wait would have to be a little longer.
Who will lead the Goa 5s troops in the meanwhile, on Tuesday night against Kolkata 5s is anybody’s guess. Perhaps it could be workhorse, Vampeta or custodian Bebe. Cafu is expected to take the field only in Goa 5s last game against Bangalore 5s on July 21, a side looking to exact revenge on a thumping defeat in their last game.
Falcao on Dinho’s unfortunate leaving mid-way through PF had this to say. “ Ronaldinho did well in his match on Sunday and was here to make the tourney shine with his brilliance. But ‘Dinho’ had country obligations with Brazil being elected as the ambassador at the forthcoming Paralympic Games and thus had to leave at short notice. He is highly respected the world-over and he had to go to do his duty for his country. He may be disappointed to leave us, but he has done his bit to make his fans enjoy while he was here.”
