Ronaldinho is in Pakistan. WE’LL GIVE YOU A MINUTE TO TAKE THAT IN. And not just him, he’s got all his friends with him, a whole entourage of stellar footballers like Giggs, and Carlos among others. This will be the first an event of this magnitude will be taking place in Pakistan and people are excited AF. The first match kicked off last night and the anticipation is massive.
The players arrived in full spirit
Excited to see what the @leisureleaguepk has in store for us. Welcome to ??#RonaldinhoAndFriends #UniteForFootball pic.twitter.com/ZJtug4JFMv
— MangoBaaz (@mangobaaz) July 8, 2017
And some lucky folks even won free tickets. OH MY DAYS:
News has it that Ronaldinho will be playing against Giggs in what will be quite the match:
All set for #RonaldinhoAndFriends competition between Ryan Giggs XI and Ronaldinho XI in Karachi. All top stars are here. #UniteForFootball
— Faizan Lakhani (@faizanlakhani) July 8, 2017
Everyone is anxiously awaiting the match.
THE STAGE IS SET.
KICK OFF IN 1 HOUR 30 MINUTES.I HOPE EVERYTHING GOES GREAT#UniteForFootball
— IM THE ONE YEAH? (@ItsEssaMate) July 8, 2017
With the stadium ready to be set ablaze with fervent football fever…
THIS IS SO EXCITING! ??⚽️
I am loving the enthusiasm on the ground. So happy to see everyone coming together! ????#UniteForFootball pic.twitter.com/intC9CkkqY
— Sadiya Azhar (@SadiyaAzhar) July 8, 2017
Even the weather seems to be smiling in Karachi as Pakistani talent plays along with leading international footballers. #UniteForFootball pic.twitter.com/UGS5mAUPUS
— Snober Abbasi (@snobers) July 8, 2017
And fans queued up outside the Abdul Sattar Edhi Stadium…
Just 3 hours to kick-off. It's HAPPENING. The greatest football event in Pakistan till date. #RonaldinhoAndFriends #UniteForFootball pic.twitter.com/8FheXNF0Hw
— S A M I A (@pinkmayn) July 8, 2017
Eager to join others already inside and fully ready to catch their idols:
❤️❤️❤️#UnitedForFootball pic.twitter.com/ODjd0s6vo7
— S A M I A (@pinkmayn) July 8, 2017
KARACHI WAS BUZZING
Just look at this line. Madness. Karachi is buzzing!!!#UniteForFootball pic.twitter.com/YVjNTddVQo
— S A M I A (@pinkmayn) July 8, 2017
And the preparations were quite exciting.
The stage is beautiful!
The event will start at 8:00 pm and kick off at 8:30 pm #UniteForFootball pic.twitter.com/EGUNUIP1j0— Ammara. (@SyedaaAmmara) July 8, 2017
And for those who weren’t in Karachi were feeling VERY left out
One of those days when you wish you were in Karachi!! #UniteForFootball pic.twitter.com/0mwZjG96Ol
— Snober Abbasi (@snobers) July 8, 2017
This was the first international football match Pakistan ever witnessed
1st international football match being played in Karachi, Dream day for all football fans 🙂 Happy to see @10Ronaldinho❤️
#UniteForFootball pic.twitter.com/Mmj1ppsAEn— Ania Hasaan (@Aniahasaan) July 8, 2017
And the fact that such venerated football mavens were coming to Pakistan gave incentive to Pakistanis to push the ICC to encourage cricket to do the same
If Ronaldinho, Giggs, Pires, Anelka & co can come to Pakistan to play exhibition football matches, so can cricket World X1. Take note @ICC
— Osama. (@ashaqeens) July 8, 2017
Football spirit is in full swing
If Ronaldinho & co coming to Pakistan doesn't make ppl realise how much fan following football has in Pakistan, nothing will >>
— Rehan Ulhaq (@Rehan_ulhaq) July 8, 2017
Even important personalities like COAS Bajwa gave them a warm welcome
Ronaldinho & his fellow intl players being hosted by Pak Army COAS Bajwa
He welcomed & thanked them for visiting Pakistan. #UniteForFootball pic.twitter.com/0M47jNx1wt— Asfandyar Bhittani (@BhittaniKhannnn) July 8, 2017
With Pakistanis embracing the footballers’ with open arms
A warm welcome to Ronaldinho and friends to Pakistan. Hope you enjoy the tournament & your stay here. Much love from all of us. ♥️
— nma. (@namaloomafraaad) July 8, 2017
In particular, the pocket of avid football fans who live in Lyari!
We hope they managed to get some tickets for tonight’s match!
#Ronaldinho might be the best gift Pakistan could give to Pakistani football fans, especially those living in Lyari.
— Fatima Ansari (@FatimaAnsari_) July 8, 2017
And basically EVERYONE.
"We are here to watch Great Ronaldinio, its like dream come true" #UniteForFootball pic.twitter.com/XjIqIkdDyT
— Abdul Ghaffar (@GhaffarDawnNews) July 8, 2017
And by everyone, we mean EVERYONE
House Full!!!!! #LeisureLeaguesPK #NokiaRandF #UniteForFootball pic.twitter.com/19WPhwJVIi
— Zeeshan Ahmed (@mrsportsjourno) July 8, 2017
Even Ronaldinho was overwhelmed:
Thanks Karachi! Thanks Pakistan! #RonaldinhoAndFriends #?? pic.twitter.com/9etcnQFkMN
— Ronaldinho Gaúcho (@10Ronaldinho) July 8, 2017
For those in Lahore feeling intense FOMO, here’s something you can do right away to score some sweeeeeeet tix:
Good luck, football fans. We’re counting on you to make this happen. LOVE YOU <3
This post has been sponsored by PeekFreans Chocolicious