A charity match to raise funds for those affected by the devastating floods in southern Brazil filled the stadium this Sunday Maracana of Rio de Janeiro and allowed spectators to delight in plays from old glories like Ronaldinho Gaúcho, Cafú and Bebeto.
Despite it being a charity match in which what mattered was showing solidarity, the spectators witnessed an exhibition of good football led by Ronaldinhothe former Barcelona soccer player, originally from Rio Grande do Sul, the state most affected by the climate disaster.
The match of ex-footballers and artists ended with a deserved 5-5 draw. The teams were symbolically named Hope and Unionand were directed respectively by Dorival Júnior, current Brazilian coach, and Mano Menezes, one of his predecessors in the Canarinha.
The public witnessed great goals scored by Ronaldinho Gaúcho and Amaralas well as spectacular plays starring other glories such aso Adriano, Bebeto, Vampeta, Denilsonthe Serbian Dejan Petkovic and the Argentine Andrés d’Alessandro, For many years captain of Internacional, one of the most popular clubs in Rio Grande do Sul, whose capital is Porto Alegre.
The brilliance of the World Cup winners did not prevent the women from also standing out in the match, among whom the singer Ludmilla that, against all odds, scored the first goal of the game after an assist from Cafúand the exporter Bárbara, who frustrated the finishes of several of the rival attackers.
In the stands, the atmosphere of harmony shone with fans who, despite historical rivalries, wore shirts from the big four clubs of Rio de Janeiro: Flamengo, Fluminense, Vasco da Gama and Botafogo.
“It’s exciting to see so many people helping.. I’m very happy for this act and I thank you on behalf of Rio Grande do Sul. It’s a very special day”, stated Ronaldinho Gaucho, the big star of the party and that, with a great goal that included the goalkeeper and different dribbles, he showed that, despite his 44 years, he is still in good shape.
For the Unión team, led by Ronaldinho, Ludmilla, Adriano and Diego also scored. While captain Cafú, the Argentine D’Alessandro, Nené, the singer MC Poze and the former midfielder Amaral did it for Esperanza, with the goal considered the most attractive.
Present at the match were idols from the three clubs from Rio Grande do Sul that are competing in the Brazilian First Division Championship this year and who, with their stadiums flooded, had to postpone all their commitments.
D’Alessandro represented Internacional, former winger Edilson represented Gremio and the still active Nené represented Juventude.
According to the Civil Defense, the floods that have hit southern Brazil for three weeks have left 170 dead, 806 injured and 56 missing, as well as 2.3 million victims in 469 municipalities.
Both the income obtained from the tickets and the transmission rights were donated to a non-governmental organization that helps the nearly 2.3 million people affected by this natural disaster.
* With information from EFE.
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