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.
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.
“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.”