00:00Ronaldinho is set to appear at the Stadium of Light as part of a former Players' Exhibition
00:07match later this year. The Brazilian, a Ballon d'Or winner and two-time World Player of the
00:14Year, will captain a Ronaldinho and friend side against a UK Icons team led by Jermaine
00:20Defoe. The match is scheduled to take place on Monday 25th May, one day after Sunderland
00:27conclude their Premier League season at home to Chelsea. A number of former professionals have
00:35already been confirmed to take part in the fixture. They include ex-Sunderland striker
00:40Jabril Sissé alongside Cleberson, Gomez and former Manchester United full-backs Fabio and Raphael.
00:50Sunderland's Chief Business Officer David Bruce said hosting the event was considered a privilege,
00:56adding that the stadium has a history of staging major occasions. Marcel Nelian, described as the
01:03event's chief curator, said Ronaldinho had retained a strong passion for football following his
01:10retirement. He added that the former Barcelona star had been keen to return to the UK and had
01:17reacted positively when the opportunity to play in Sunderland was presented to him, highlighting his
01:25previous appreciation for supporters on Westside.
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