This Saturday (22), São José dos Campos hosted one of the biggest festive football games in the country: the game “Amigos do Ronaldinho x Estrelas” (Ronaldinho’s Friends x Stars). With good weather and a large audience, the event was held at the Martins Pereira Stadium and was sponsored by gaming house Afun.
The game itself was just a backdrop for the meeting of Brazilian football stars and solidarity, with the donation of food by the public present, with approximately 7,200 people, according to the organizers.
On the pitch, in addition to Ronaldinho Gaúcho, three other Brazilian champions of the 2002 World Cup were present: defender Anderson Polga, midfielder Vampeta and striker Edilson, all playing in the team in white uniform with the Afun's brand on the front and back, as well as the team in the black jersey.
In addition to games and sports betting, Afun offers very advantageous bonuses and promotions, such as first, second and third deposit bonuses, reward initiatives through friend referrals, cash prizes and a complete welcome package. The company plans many novelties for Brazilian customers and has a very structured growth plan in the country.
“As the company name says, our goal is to bring a “Fun” time to all our customers, transporting them beyond their everyday lives to a place where imagination takes over! Because we all just want to have fun and Ronaldinho Gaucho has always been a player who has fun with the people, so we gladly support the event. São José dos Campos had a great party,” comments Taka Kataoka, Afun's Chief Strategy Officer.
In addition to them, other great ex-players made the crowd's party. One of the highlights was the former striker Aloísio Chulapa, who made history with the São Paulo jersey. It was his, even, the first of several goals in the match.
Former striker Washington, nicknamed "Braveheart", with a lot of history passing through clubs such as Athletico Paranaense, Fluminense and São Paulo, was also featured in the game. Madson, a midfielder with a remarkable stint at Santos, had São Caetano as his last club, in 2020, but has not yet announced his retirement, and called the responsibility in the festive game.
Another who is still active was present at São José dos Campos, his hometown, was goalkeeper Jailson. Brazilian champion for Palmeiras and elected the best goalkeeper in the competition, he shone in the first half, making important saves alongside Ronaldinho's team. In the other team, during the first half, there was also a goalkeeper who is still active: Sidão, who went through clubs like Botafogo, São Paulo and Goiás, and is at Atlético Catarinense.
Former player Milene Domingues, ambassador for women's football in Brazil, was also present and even scored a goal. Marcos Assunção, one of the greatest free-kicks in the country, with a remarkable stint at Palmeiras, also made the crowd happy.
But the teams didn't just rely on players and ex-players. Skateboarder Pâmela Rosa, singers MC Paiva, MC Hariel, and Vavá, as well as DJ GBR, who is also from São Paulo, showed their football, as did youtuber Jukanalha, comedian Maurício Meireles and Tulinho, who produces content for internet and is the son of former player Túlio "Maravilha", also participated in the party. Even in refereeing, a prominent name: Fernanda Colombo, former referee of the CBF and FIFA, was the one who commanded the whistle in the festive game.
In an interview with news outlet Meon, Edilson praised the audience and the party. “It's always good for us to feel honored, and that's what happened. The game belongs to Ronaldinho, but it turns out that all of us, ex-players, youtubers and the press are privileged. The people from São José dos Campos are to be congratulated for having embraced the event in the best possible way. I know it's not easy, the crowd works all week and, when they arrive on Saturday, they want to stay with the family, but it was a nice event, which is worth everyone coming to honor.”
Washington “Braveheart” also spoke exclusively to Meon. “Nice event and the weather helped. I spoke with friends here and the weather was rainy, but it cleared. That's good, because the show was very beautiful, with the participation of Ronaldinho, who is a great friend and idol. But the most beautiful goal was the presence of these people who came to honor and, for sure, this is a charitable game that will help a lot of people.”
Playing at home, Jailson also spoke about the festive game to Meon. “For me, it is a great honor to participate in this event, in my city. I love São José dos Campos, so it is priceless to participate in such a wonderful event.”
Source: GMB / Meon
