Brazilian legend Ronaldinho was seen doing groovy moves during the Sree Bhumi Sporting Club in Kolkata

Ronaldinho cast a spell on the football-crazed citizens of Kolkata with his contagious goofy grin as his presence for a two-day visit ushered in an early start to the Durga Puja celebration.

The region’s greatest event normally begins on the sixth day (Shasthi) after Mahalaya, but it got started on the second day itself, with the ‘Gaucho’ inaugurating a series of pandals.

On a day when Union Home Minister Amit Shah was also in town to open a Durga Puja Pandal, it was the Brazil icon who stole the show.

‘Ronaldinho, Ronaldinho’ and ‘Brazil, Brazil’ resonated through the crowd wherever he walked, as hundreds of fans rushed to catch a sight of the former Barcelona and AC Milan star.

Ronaldinho dressed down in relaxed shorts, a loose-fitting navy blue T-shirt, and his distinctive snapback cap.

“Many thanks.” Mucho carino (many gratitude, many affection),” the ‘King of Jogo Bonito’ expressed with his goofy smile and ‘I Love You’ gesture, enchanting his devotees who followed him everywhere he went.

The 43-year-old Brazilian legend, who arrived late on Sunday, fought jetlag and began his day by traveling to the Merlin Rise residential complex in the eastern suburbs to inaugurate his academy, “R10.”

Hundreds of children of various ages gathered at the academy to see their favorite Brazilian star, who rose to prominence with his exceptional dribbling skills, close ball control, and creativity on the field during the five-time champions’ 2002 World Cup triumph.

A massive screen in the stage’s backdrop displayed Ronaldinho’s magical football performances, notably his spectacular long-range free-kick that effectively terminated England’s fate in the 2002 World Cup quarterfinal.

His next stop was in north Kolkata where he dedicated a Durga Puja pandal themed after Disneyland. Ronaldinho was greeted in the customary Hindu manner, with a tilak on his forehead, while he explored the pandal and inquired about the traditions.

Ronaldinho also paid floral tributes to a statue of Argentine icon Diego Maradona, who delighted Kolkata’s football fans during his 2008 and 2017 visits.

Ronaldinho’s next stop was the West Bengal chief minister’s mansion in Kalighat, where he was greeted by officials from the ‘Big Three’ clubs, Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, and Mohammedan Sporting.

“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.

Later in the day, Ronaldinho met with East Bengal sponsors.

The Brazilian then took part in the Calcutta Football League Premier Division tournament’s formal trophy-presenting ceremony, recognizing Mohammedan Sporting champions at the Indian Football Association.

More Durga Puja pandal inaugurations occurred, this time crisscrossing the city and stretching to the southern suburbs of Narendrapur and Baruipur, but Ronaldinho remained upbeat and obliged his supporters at each stop.

More excitement awaits his supporters on Tuesday when the Brazilian is set to weave his ‘Samba Magic’ during an exhibition match in the south-western suburb of Maheshtala.

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