Brazilian legend Ronaldo revealed as Sunday league sub from pretty old lady face Watch Video

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✓ Published: 11-Mar-2024

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A Sunday league football team unveiled the ultimate ringer this weekend – legendary Brazilian striker Ronaldo.<br/><br/>The forward – considered by many to be the greatest to ever play the game – laced up his boots and turned out for Phoenix FC, bottom of the NWL Division 8 in Essex.<br/><br/>Their beleaguered line-up was boosted by the ex-pro, now 47, who came on as a super-sub with his side 4-0 down.<br/><br/>The World Cup winner hung up his boots 13 years ago but pulled them back on to turn out for ‘one of the worst teams in England’, after they won a social media competition run by Paddy Power.<br/><br/>Wearing number 17, R9 showed some neat touches at first, taking kick-off with a piece of Brazilian flair – a rabona pass.<br/><br/>Unfortunately, even footballing royalty couldn’t turn his team’s fortunes around.<br/><br/>After being caught offside – and on his phone – the superstar was promptly subbed back off by his temporary manager.<br/><br/>Phoenix FC manager, Brian Edwards, said: “The lads couldn’t believe it when Ronaldo showed up – I hadn’t registered him so used the name ‘Dave Walsh’ and put him on the bench.<br/><br/>“Sadly, he was anything but a Super Sub. <br/><br/>“He was late by the time he got changed and we were already well behind by the time I could put him on, but it’s definitely a moment I’ll remember forever.<br/><br/>“The rest of his performance? Less memorable.”<br/><br/>Ronaldo’s antics in Essex were all part of a scripted social media video [https://x.com/paddypower/status/1767144271444955370?s=20] released across Paddy Power’s channels to launch new betting feature Super Sub, which transfers bets when a player is subbed off – which even saw a fan have a Ronaldo hair cut of 1998 for the occasion.<br/><br/>A spokesman for the betting firm said: “They say form is temporary but, having seen him in the flesh, Ronaldo’s post-retirement form does now seem pretty permanent. It happens to us all, R9.”