Ronaldinho was on Wearside earlier this week as he featured in an exhibition match at Sunderland's Stadium of Light.
The former South Shields stalwart was an integral figure for the Hornets as they shook off a slow start to the season to defy all odds and claim the Northern Premier League Premier Division title and secure a first ever promotion into the National League North.
Hebburn Town midfielder Robert Briggs and Brazil legend Ronaldinho (photo provided by Robert Briggs)placeholder image
Hebburn Town midfielder Robert Briggs and Brazil legend Ronaldinho (photo provided by Robert Briggs) | Photo provided by Robert Briggs
Although there were plans to take a well deserved break after long and hard season, Briggs received a late call-up to take part in an exhibition match between a Ronaldinho and Friends XI and a UK Icons side at the Stadium of Light on Monday afternoon - and despite making over 40 appearances in the third tier of the non-league game during the previous nine months, it was a request Briggs could not refuse.
He said: “I got the message on Sunday and Mark Anderson (Chester-le-Street Town midfielder) asked if I wanted to play in a charity game at the Stadium of Light with Ronaldinho - and my first thought was it was an absolute wind-up. He worked with a coach in Miami that had contacts with the Brazilian team and the organisers of events like this. They needed players so Mark messaged a few of the lads because he couldn’t play - and it all came from there. We were sceptical and then we had to go and meet the lads in a hotel on the morning to get our kit and get the bus to the Stadium of Light. We had food, met the players, got to the game and went into the dressing room - it was all a bit surreal to be honest. Some of the players couldn’t speak English and that brought some challenges - but the ones that could made us feel very welcome and they got pictures with us, signed shirts and got us involved from the minute we arrived.”
‘Once in a lifetime’
Pre-match at the Ronaldinho & Friends vs UK icons match held at the Stadium of Light (photo Richard Mennear)placeholder image
Pre-match at the Ronaldinho & Friends vs UK icons match held at the Stadium of Light (photo Richard Mennear) | Richard Mennear
Briggs was named in the squad for the Ronaldinho and Friends XI as they faced a UK Icons side containing the likes of former Sunderland trio Kevin Phillips, Jermaine Defoe and Danny Collins and former England wingers Aaron Lennon and Sean Wright-Phillips. - and replaced the Brazil icon midway through the second-half as his side claimed a 3-1 win thanks to two goals from former Sunderland striker Djibril Cisse and one from World Cup winner Kleberson. In a season that has already provided some many lifelong memories, stepping on to the Stadium of Light pitch to replace one of the true icons of the sport was a moment that will live with the Hebburn midfielder for years to come.
He said: “It’s a once in a lifetime experience to not only be in the presence of Ronaldinho, who has had such an amazing career and has influenced so many players, but it was an opportunity I couldn’t really miss. I’ve had a long season so I didn’t want to play too many minutes. But with my wife and my son were at the game so what an opportunity for me to come on for Ronaldinho and give him a high five and a cuddle. It was such a surreal moment - but it’s one I’ll never forget and I’ll tell the story a lot when I’m older.”
‘He understands football’
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AFP via Getty Images
Ronaldinho racked up a long list of personal honours and achievements during a career representing the likes of Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan as he collected the Ballon D’or in 2005 and was named as FIFA World Player of the Year on two occasions. He was a two-time La Liga winner with Barcelona and experienced Champions League glory with the Catalan giants in 2006 before going on to claim a Serie A title with AC Milan five years later. There was silverware on the international stage too as the forward won the Copa America, FIFA Confederations Cup and World Cup with Brazil as he scored 33 goals in 97 appearances at senior level.
However, it was Ronaldinho’s attitude towards the game that stood out for Briggs after his unexpected opportunity to become a team-mate of one of the greatest icons of football’s recent history.
“He’s still got it. His feet are as quick as always but he’s mentally so switched on. The big thing I took from it was that he’s still got it, he understands football and he was knocking it around players like they weren’t there. But even bigger than that was the fact he has so much fun. Every single part of the game, he was just laughing, even when he was being fouled, he just smiled and he’s just a generally happy person. It’s great to see him enjoying it because there is so much pressure in the game now. Nobody just goes out an enjoys themselves and just expresses themselves like he does but he did everything with a smile on his face. That is why everyone just loves watching him play.”
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