Sports / Soccer
Ronaldinho makes Brazil go nuts
13 Jan 2011 at 16:34hrs | Views
Ronaldinho was given a hero's welcome as over 20,000 fans turned out to celebrate his return to Flamengo.
Singers and dancers created a carnival atmosphere as the 30-year-old was officially unveiled following his transfer from Italian giants AC Milan.
The reception for the two-time World Player of the Year eclipsed the welcome Flamengo legend Zico received when he landed back in Rio from Italy in 1985
And Ronnie gave the crowd exactly what they wanted when he announced his intentions to win trophies with his club and help Brazil rule the world once more.
'That's my objective. I decided to return to Brazil for that,' said the 2002 World Cup winner, who was left out of the squad for South Africa last summer.
'Many come back to Brazil only to close out their careers. But after years away from Brazil, the World Cup (in Brazil in 2014) and the (2012 London) Olympics have given me motivation to return.'
Ronaldinho left his homeland in 2001 after starting his career at Gremio. He starred for Paris St Germain and Barcelona before moving to the San Siro and has now signed a four-year deal with Flamengo.
He added: 'I want to take the name of Flamengo as high as possible, winning as many titles as possible and repaying these fans' love. I want to give the fans happiness.
'I'm proud to have got such a reception and to be compared with Zico. This number 10 shirt has a history and I always thought of playing for a team with fans like this.'
Ronaldinho will make his debut when the Carioca (Rio de Janeiro) state championship starts later this month.
Singers and dancers created a carnival atmosphere as the 30-year-old was officially unveiled following his transfer from Italian giants AC Milan.
The reception for the two-time World Player of the Year eclipsed the welcome Flamengo legend Zico received when he landed back in Rio from Italy in 1985
And Ronnie gave the crowd exactly what they wanted when he announced his intentions to win trophies with his club and help Brazil rule the world once more.
'That's my objective. I decided to return to Brazil for that,' said the 2002 World Cup winner, who was left out of the squad for South Africa last summer.
'Many come back to Brazil only to close out their careers. But after years away from Brazil, the World Cup (in Brazil in 2014) and the (2012 London) Olympics have given me motivation to return.'
Ronaldinho left his homeland in 2001 after starting his career at Gremio. He starred for Paris St Germain and Barcelona before moving to the San Siro and has now signed a four-year deal with Flamengo.
He added: 'I want to take the name of Flamengo as high as possible, winning as many titles as possible and repaying these fans' love. I want to give the fans happiness.
'I'm proud to have got such a reception and to be compared with Zico. This number 10 shirt has a history and I always thought of playing for a team with fans like this.'
Ronaldinho will make his debut when the Carioca (Rio de Janeiro) state championship starts later this month.
Source - Byo24News