Ronaldinho to star in Sunderland legends match at Stadium of Light this May | OneFootball

Ronaldinho, the Brazil icon and Ballon d’Or winner, will headline a post-season legends match at the Stadium of Light this summer, the club confirmed.

The Brazilian will front a Ronaldinho & Friends side against a UK Icons team led by former Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe. The exhibition is set for Monday 25 May, kick-off five pm, one day after Sunderland end their Premier League campaign at home to Chelsea.

Former players already confirmed include Djibril Cissé, World Cup winner Kléberson, goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes, full-backs Fábio and Rafael, plus Fernando and Anderson.

Tickets are on sale via the club’s ticketing website, with adult prices from £25 and concessions from £20. Hospitality options include access to Quinn’s Sports Bar at £100 and executive boxes priced at £1,500 for 10 guests. Parking at the Stadium of Light will cost £10.

The occasion is a coup for Sunderland, bringing one of football’s most recognisable figures to the UK. Ronaldinho twice won FIFA World Player of the Year and the Ballon d’Or, starred for Barcelona, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain, and was central to Brazil’s 2002 World Cup triumph. He won 97 caps for Brazil, scoring 33 goals, and appeared at two FIFA World Cups.

Source: Sunderland Echo