Ronaldinho and friends to visit Canada for legends match
The Saputo Stadium will be the venue for a match held as part of Montreal's Legends of Soccer Weekend; this will be the Brazilian star's second visit to the city.
Montreal will host the latest exhibition game featuring Ronaldinho and friends, scheduled for 23 June, as part of the Canadian city's Legends of Soccer Weekend, with 'Dinho' leading a team of Brazilian legends at Saputo Stadium.
The South Americans will face a Montreal Impact legends side coached by Patrice Bernier, who was captain of the MLS team during his career as a footballer.
The former Barcelona star already knows what it's like to play in Montreal: when he was at AC Milan, he faced the Impact in a 2010 match that saw the Italians win 4-1, with the Brazilian scoring the fourth goal.
The names of the players that will be involved in the match are yet to be revealed; however, Julio César and Juan, who had successful careers in Europe, will be present.
As for Montreal, the fans will see players such as Marco Di Vaio, Hassoun Camara, Justin Mapp, Cameron Porter, Patrick Leduc, Nevio Pizzolito, Gabriel Gervais, Jeb Brovsky and Eduardo Sebrango.
Patrice Bernier
In a statement, Bernier noted that the game could prove his chance to avenge a defeat that he suffered against Brazil while playing for Canada in the U-17 World Cup two decades ago.
"Yes, it's a bit like going in full circle, in 1995, at the U-17 FIFA World Cup in Ecuador, I faced Juan in the group stage. Brazil beat us 2-0, he doesn't know, but I will be able to tell him that we both played that game and now it seems that I will face him for my city, as well as for my country," he said.
Bernier also talked about going against Ronaldinho. "Now I'll be able say that I've played a game against a world star because for me he is a guy who has changed the game," he concluded.