Ranzi Sports

Chennai, India – 30th March 2025: The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai hosted a remarkable football event on Sunday, featuring the iconic Brazilian squad that won the 2002 FIFA World Cup facing off against a talented India All-Stars team in a memorable exhibition match.

Over 23,000 enthusiastic football fans filled the stadium to see legends like Ronaldinho, Gilberto Silva, and Rivaldo display their timeless skills. The Indian team, captained by former national player IM Vijayan, delivered a commendable performance, making for an engaging match. The occasion was honored by the presence of the Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Shri Udhaynidhi Stalini, who warmly welcomed both teams and stood with them during the national anthems, highlighting the match’s importance in advancing football in India.

The first half ended without any goals, despite Ronaldinho’s electrifying presence, which thrilled the Chennai audience with his signature style. The second half began with Viola scoring for the Brazil Legends, breaking the stalemate. However, the Indian All-Stars quickly equalized with a stunning chip shot from Bibiano Fernandes, igniting excitement among the fans. Ricardo Oliveira then secured the win for the Brazil Legends with a crucial goal in the 63rd minute.

After the match concluded, players from both teams exchanged friendly gestures, and the Brazilian legends generously handed out match balls to the eager fans, creating a lasting memory for everyone present.

“This was an unforgettable experience,” Ronaldinho remarked, enchanted by the Chennai crowd. David Anand, Founder of Football Plus Academy & Summit, shared similar feelings: “Seeing these football icons play in Chennai and experiencing the incredible passion of Indian fans was truly special. We are thankful to both teams for providing such an entertaining and memorable match.”

This exhibition match highlighted the deep-rooted love for football in India and the universal appeal of the Brazilian legends.

Brazil Legends: Gomes, Gilberto Silva, Cacapa, Gilberto Silva, Edmilson, Junior, Kleberson, Giovanni,

Ricardo Oliveira, Rivaldo, Camanducaia, Elivelton, Paulo Sergio, Viola, Jorginho, Amaral, Lucio,

Ronaldinho, Dunga (Head Coach)

India All-Stars: Mehtab Hossain, Ravanan Dharmaraj, Deepak Mandal, Pradeep NP, Subhasish Roy

Chowdhury, Rahim Nabi, Mahesh Gawli, Climax Lawrence, Arnab Mondal, Karanjit Singh, Mehrajuddin

Wadoo, Alvito D’Cunha, Venkatesh Shanmugam, Nallappan Mohanraj, Bibiano Fernandes, IM Vijayan,

Suresh Muttath, Anit Ghosh, Prasanta Banerjee (Head Coach)