The Sunday League team unveils the ultimate ringer: legendary Brazilian striker Ronaldo

A SUNDAY league football team unveiled the ultimate ringer this weekend: legendary Brazilian striker Ronaldo.

The striker – considered by many to be the best to ever play the game – put on his boots and left for Phoenix FC, bottom of the NWL Division 8 in Essex.

Ex-pro Brazilian striker Ronaldo unveiled during a football team’s Sunday competition

Ronaldo came on as a super-sub with his team trailing 4-0

Ronaldo played for Phoenix FC, bottom of the NWL Division 8 in Essex.

Their beleaguered line-up was strengthened by the ex-pro, now 47, who stepped up as super-sub with his side trailing 4-0.

R9, with number 17, initially showed some nice details and kicked off with a bit of Brazilian flair: a rabona pass.

The World Cup winner hung up his boots 13 years ago, but put them back on to play for ‘one of the worst teams in England’ after winning a Paddy Power social media competition.

Unfortunately, even the football team could not turn around its team’s fortunes as Essex was a long way from Rio de Janeiro in March.

After being caught offside – and on his phone – the superstar was promptly sent back by his temporary manager.

Phoenix FC manager Brian Edwards said: “The boys couldn’t believe it when Ronaldo turned up. I didn’t register him, so I used the name ‘Dave Walsh’ and benched him.

“Unfortunately, he was anything but a Super Sub.

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“He was late getting changed and we were way behind by the time I could put him on, but it’s definitely a moment I’ll remember forever.

“The rest of his performance? Less memorable.”

Ronaldo’s antics in Essex were all part of a script social media video released on Paddy Power’s channels to launch new betting feature Super Sub, which transfers bets when a player is knocked out – even giving one fan a 1998 Ronaldo haircut for the occasion.

A spokesperson for the betting company said: “They say the form is temporary, but now that we’ve seen it in real life, Ronaldo’s post-retirement form looks quite permanent. It happens to all of us, R9.”