Ryan Giggs and Ronaldinho Gaúcho just wrapped up their exhilarating football series in Pakistan with consecutive matches in Karachi and Lahore. The players are a part of the ‘Ronaldinho and Friends’ initiative by a local Leisure League and have been spreading football fever across the country. The Manchester United star Ryan Giggs was a last minute addition to join the tournament, to the celebration of Manchester United fans all over Pakistan.
Their arrival to Pakistan was a cause of much celebration.
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 their match in Karachi yesterday had quite a turnout.
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
After arriving in Lahore for the next match, both giants held a press conference.
This is where Ryan excitedly hovered over the mic to give a special little shout out:
Ryan Giggs saying Pakistan Zindabad #RonaldinhoAndFriends pic.twitter.com/IeyqifOcPD
— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) July 9, 2017
His ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ was met with solid applause, including Ronaldinho.
US, RN:
The Manchester United legend is a favorite among Pakistanis, and Karachi’s match saw his fans flock together to see their hero
Special banner for Ryan Giggs in the house! #UniteForFootball. pic.twitter.com/C4Waq8g6o7
— HK. (@HammaaadKhan) July 8, 2017
Many have hailed him an even bigger hero after his Pakistan Zindabad
United legend and now this .. giggs doesn't get much better
— Dan (@dan_7860) July 9, 2017
I have immense respect for Ryan Giggs for saying "Pakistan Zindabad" ?? Wish him nothing but the best in his life. pic.twitter.com/p5uCPFpkrV
— Champions ? (@aamirrkhann10) July 9, 2017
Some took this opportunity to thank both Giggs and Ronaldinho for coming to Pakistan
ThankU @10Ronaldinho and #RyanGiggs@ManUtd
— Umer Aamir❤♥ (@umeraamir99) July 9, 2017
Thanks for cmng in pk.
— Muhammad Jameel (@Jameel040) July 9, 2017
With Manchester United fans getting gloriously giddy
Proud moment for us.
— Inam (@ThisisCh_Inam) July 9, 2017
And many agreed that the presence of such respected football prodigies in Pakistan would hopefully show the world the country isn’t as dangerous as it seems:
We need the outside world to see that people of Pakistan are really no different to everyone else! This is such an opportunity to show that.
— Fizaa. (@BasAinvayi) July 9, 2017
Perhaps there is hope for football here after all…
While the camerawork/audio of the matches was abysmal, the fact that Ronaldinho, Giggs & others played here will be good for Pak football
— omar r quraishi (@omar_quraishi) July 9, 2017
The Pakistani player (yes, he’s Pakistani now) gave an interview with Pakistani cricket’s favorite girl, Zainab Abbas too
Manu fans for you – Ryan Giggs – Let's see what he has to say about his experience in Pakistan! #RonaldinhoAndFriends pic.twitter.com/ES992al1Da
— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) July 9, 2017
He expressed his delight at how welcoming Pakistan has been and had high hope for a profound football future in the country. Zainab asked him about the talent in Pakistan, to which he said he’d seen a ‘glimpse’ of it and said there isn’t a gateway to really for aspiring footballers, which is why he’s hoping the initiative will kickstart just that.
Are you excited to see football take a more solid form in Pakistan?