Ronaldinho displayed his skills in Brazil Legends’ exhibition match against India All Stars in Chennai on Sunday.
| Photo Credit: B. JOTHI RAMALINGAM

Ronaldinho was a wonder for the spectators at the Brazil Legends versus India All Stars exhibition match in the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Sunday. It was as if he had designer, one-of-a-kind legs.

When he made a one-touch stop, there was a quick burst of cheer. When he took a corner kick, the crowd went berserk. When he took a free kick, the mirth was tectonic. When he was idling around, it was rhyme time: ‘RO-NAAL-DEEN-YO! RO-NAAL-DEEN-YO!’ It was as if he existed for the people.

For the people, the wall wasn’t supposed to exist when he struck his first free kick. What was that all about? Why didn’t they get blown away like a straw roof in a tempest? The goalkeeper wasn’t supposed to save when he struck his second free kick. What a killjoy. It was supposed to be a shot of mayhem. They were supposed to watch Ronaldinho swagger-blast a goal. They had communed for the sophistication, improvisation, and unintended showmanship Ronaldinho brought from his past.

A lot of them had legged it, like a line of purposeful ants, to the stadium. For, the Nehru stadium pitch was about to turn hallowed. Football legends from Brazil and India were to play under one open roof. Where else could they watch Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, Gilberto Silva, Edmilson, and Lucio – World Cup winners all – play together? Where else could they watch Indian stars across generations – I.M. Vijayan with Nallappan Mohanraj and Mehrajuddin Wadoo – play together? It was like a phenomenon of nature.

And when they got to watch goals from Viola, Bibiano Fernandes and Ricardo Oliveira in the second half, it was enough for them to trip in the throes of merriness.

The result: Brazil Legends 2 (Viola, Ricardo Oliveira) bt India All Stars 1 (Bibiano Fernandes).