Ronaldinho headlines lineup for AC Milan
D.C. United does not get fazed playing against the best European clubs soccer has to offer — look no further than Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka being held to just a single shot on goal when Real Madrid visited FedEx Field last summer.
But Wednesday’s exhibition against AC Milan will have an extra bite, thanks to a little old soccer tournament over in South Africa that will start next month without one of the sport’s biggest names.
When former two-time FIFA player of the year Ronaldinho takes the RFK Stadium field, it’ll be only his second match since Brazilian head coach Dunga left him off the most famous national team in the world.
“My response was here on the pitch,” said Ronaldinho, who scored twice in his first match after the Brazilian team was announced.
The 30-year-old also plays a prominent role in Nike’s latest World Cup commercial, in which his samba-influenced stepover becomes a worldwide phenomenon. No D.C. United player wants to play victim should Ronaldinho call on that move against them, but might it just be a fair price for the opportunity to be on the same field with the living legend? Ronaldinho’s not-too-shabby teammates — including Alexandre Pato, Clarence Seedorf, Filippo Inzaghi, Mathieu Flamini, Alessandro Nesta, and Dida — will be at RFK as well.
“This game will be another excellent test for us,” said United midfielder Chris Pontius, “and will give the club a chance to face top-level talent as we try to better ourselves.”
