A Sunday league football team unveiled the ultimate ringer this weekend – legendary Brazilian striker Ronaldo.
The forward – considered by many to be the greatest to ever play the game – laced up his boots and turned out for Phoenix FC, bottom of the NWL Division 8 in Essex.
Their beleaguered line-up was boosted by the ex-pro, now 47, who came on as a super-sub with his side 4-0 down.
The World Cup winner hung up his boots 13 years ago but pulled them back on to turn out for ‘one of the worst teams in England’, after they won a social media competition run by Paddy Power.
Wearing number 17, R9 showed some neat touches at first, taking kick-off with a piece of Brazilian flair – a rabona pass.
Unfortunately, even footballing royalty couldn’t turn his team’s fortunes around.
After being caught offside – and on his phone – the superstar was promptly subbed back off by his temporary manager.
Phoenix FC manager, Brian Edwards, said: “The lads couldn’t believe it when Ronaldo showed up – I hadn’t registered him so used the name ‘Dave Walsh’ and put him on the bench.
“Sadly, he was anything but a Super Sub.
“He was late by the time he got changed and we were already well 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 scripted social media video [https://x.com/paddypower/status/1767144271444955370?s=20] released across Paddy Power’s channels to launch new betting feature Super Sub, which transfers bets when a player is subbed off – which even saw a fan have a Ronaldo hair cut of 1998 for the occasion.
A spokesman for the betting firm said: “They say form is temporary but, having seen him in the flesh, Ronaldo’s post-retirement form does now seem pretty permanent. It happens to us all, R9.”
The forward – considered by many to be the greatest to ever play the game – laced up his boots and turned out for Phoenix FC, bottom of the NWL Division 8 in Essex.
Their beleaguered line-up was boosted by the ex-pro, now 47, who came on as a super-sub with his side 4-0 down.
The World Cup winner hung up his boots 13 years ago but pulled them back on to turn out for ‘one of the worst teams in England’, after they won a social media competition run by Paddy Power.
Wearing number 17, R9 showed some neat touches at first, taking kick-off with a piece of Brazilian flair – a rabona pass.
Unfortunately, even footballing royalty couldn’t turn his team’s fortunes around.
After being caught offside – and on his phone – the superstar was promptly subbed back off by his temporary manager.
Phoenix FC manager, Brian Edwards, said: “The lads couldn’t believe it when Ronaldo showed up – I hadn’t registered him so used the name ‘Dave Walsh’ and put him on the bench.
“Sadly, he was anything but a Super Sub.
“He was late by the time he got changed and we were already well 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 scripted social media video [https://x.com/paddypower/status/1767144271444955370?s=20] released across Paddy Power’s channels to launch new betting feature Super Sub, which transfers bets when a player is subbed off – which even saw a fan have a Ronaldo hair cut of 1998 for the occasion.
A spokesman for the betting firm said: “They say form is temporary but, having seen him in the flesh, Ronaldo’s post-retirement form does now seem pretty permanent. It happens to us all, R9.”
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FunTranscript
00:00 Second ball! Who wants it?
00:07 Steve! Any chance today son or what?
00:11 F*** off. He's not my man. How can I matter for you people?
00:14 He's not a target!
00:17 Oh my god. He's freaking out.
00:24 Is he lost? Is that actually him?
00:51 I mustn't hear. He takes it coming.
00:54 Ref! Sub please! Steve! Off you come!
00:57 Right, you go up top with Bertie. He's rapid. So hold it up. Look to put him through the channels.
01:02 And if you get booked, your name's Dave Walsh.
01:05 Alright? Alright, good lad. Nice one. On you go.
01:07 What happened to 'You gotta go training'?
01:10 Alright, let's go!
01:12 Come on Benny, get after that!
01:16 Brian said he'd entered a competition or something to get a player.
01:19 F*** here now. Well now don't.
01:22 Play off! Benny's on! No, not there son! Just get rid of it!
01:47 Come Grease, close it down!
01:50 Ronaldo, look alive son. Look alive Ronaldo!
01:58 Is he on the f***ing phone?
02:00 Ronaldo! You're offside! Get onside!
02:05 So, do you think you can turn the deficit around?
02:15 No chance. We're not playing against Spurs.
02:19 Have you found it? Have you enjoyed it?
02:21 I played in Milan, Madrid, Eindhoven. But this? It's a sh*thole.
02:27 Lads, enjoy going forwards by all means, but one of you's got to take responsibility.
02:32 Calm down, hold it. Neil Warnock.
02:35 Ref! Sub please! 17, off you come!
02:41 Take it off Ronaldo.
02:43 He's not tracking back? Unlucky son, unlucky.
02:47 You'll stick around for a cup of tea though yeah?
02:50 No, Ronaldo!
02:52 Has he chipped in for subs or what?
02:54 No, he's got a kit. Ronaldo!
02:56 He's got to chip in for subs. F***ing hell.
02:58 You know who he is?
03:00 Is he still here? Is he here?
03:11 I wanted to get a selfie.
03:13 Selfie.
03:15 [Subscribe]