Ronaldinho & Friends light up Stadium of Light as Sunderland stage legends exhibition | OneFootball

Ronaldinho & Friends appeared at the Stadium of Light on Bank Holiday Monday as Sunderland hosted a star-studded legends exhibition.

According to Sunderland Echo, the spectacle followed Sunday’s stunning 2-1 win over Chelsea on Wearside that secured Europa League football for Regis Le Bris’ side, with thousands of home supporters watching in early summer sunshine.

Ronaldinho headlined a Brazilian-laden side featuring Gilberto Silva, Maicon, Douglas Costa, Philippe Coutinho, Ramires and Kleberson, plus Nwankwo Kanu. Djibril Cisse and former loanee Nicklas Bendtner also featured, with Diego Costa and Helton Arruda among the other names.

Jermain Defoe led the UK Icons, with a strong Sunderland core of Kevin Phillips, Steven Fletcher, Lee Cattermole, Phil Bardsley, Danny Collins and Pascal Chimbonda. The squad included former Premier League figures Heurelho Gomes, Michael Dawson, Jermaine Pennant, Aaron Lennon, Sandro and Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Sunderland owners Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and Juan Sartori were among the players, alongside director of football Florent Ghisolfi.

Source: Sunderland Echo