Ronaldo to visit India next year to watch ISL

[Kashmiri Pandit]

Football fans in India will have to wait for another year to get a glimpse of former Brazilian legend Ronaldo as he would be able to accept his long-time friend and ex-teammate Roberto Carlos' invitation to watch the ISL only in 2016.

"I would love to go to India and watch the Indian Super League once. But this time, I have to go back to Brazil. So I would not be able to make it to India this year. But for sure, I am coming to India in the next season," Ronaldo, who is currently playing at the ongoing Asian PokerChampionship here, today told PTI.

One of the best strikers of all time, Ronaldo, however, denied that he would be seen in action at the football field.

"There is no happy news for the football fans. I am not coming back as I am not that fast anymore, like I used to be in the old times," he said when asked if he plans to be a part of ISL either as a player or a coach.

Having played football at the top level for 17 years and being a part of the World Cup-winning Brazil team twice, Ronaldo said he took up poker professionally after retirement as he was missing the emotion of being in a competitive field.

"I miss that emotion of competition," he said, adding, "I miss playing football. I used to be so happy on the match days."

Drawing similarities between football and poker, Ronaldo said both need a lot of practice.

"Both the games are very difficult. A lot of practice is needed in both. One is physical and the other is mental. I was definitely better in football. I am working hard on my poker, but am still too young for it," said the 39-year-old.

"Poker, you have to study a lot. You have to get so many formations and it is not just about you. You have to watch how other people are playing. When you are on the table, you have to see every reaction. You have to be extremely focused, no distractions.

"I love playing poker as it is so much fun and difficult at the same time," he added.

With three FIFA World Player of the Year awards, two Ballon d'Or awards and many more accolades, he is a tough competitor and even as an amateur he is giving his opponents a run for their money.

Earlier this year, at the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure event in Bahamas, he finished 26th. From a starting field of 816, Ronaldo made it all the way to the final 26 players before he was sent to the rail, taking home $42,180 for his first cash prize in a major poker tournament.

"Yes, I did well and I am the first professional player from Brazil to do so," Ronaldo said.

 

[Kashmiri Pandit]

@SarthakGanguly @ito @nair @Spectre @hinduguy

@jamahir @Stag112 @Bitter Melon @skyisthelimit @The BrOkEn HeArT

@Barrel-Bomba @vayuputhra @ganesh623 @Indian Patriot @Point_4590

@Stephen Cohen @NKVD @Bang Galore

@indianBong @TejasMk3 @singh sahab @nForce @ranjeet

 

[Point_4590]

Good for the fanboys but What is the point,we have a shameful record in football with no soccer culture.

we should focus on regional sports in which we could get medals in olympics like wrestling,we are the BAAP of wrestling and kabbadi in South Asia and always dominate over inferior counterparts.

 

[Kashmiri Pandit]

Good for the fanboys but What is the point,we have a shameful record in football with no soccer culture.

we should focus on regional sports in which we could get medals in olympics like wrestling,we are the BAAP of wrestling and kabbadi in South Asia and always dominate over inferior counterparts.

But If we develop Football Pockets like Goa , Kolkata , North East and Kerala , We sure can compete with countries on Asian Level . If we can get people from all section of society into Sports , It will help us in eradicating Poverty and other social issues .

 

[indianBong]

being a nation of 1.3 billion we cudn produce a football team of 11players worth to play in world cup..... its very shameful... i would be extremly happy if ISL teams take some advice or be trained by masters (ronaldo etc)

 

[vayuputhra]

It was great playing foot ball when I was in college, we played foot ball whole days on holidays, there is no awareness about foot ball, many people in rural India have not heard about foot ball, inviting legends like Rinaldo, messi, will bring greater awareness among the population.

It was great playing foot ball when I was in college, we played foot ball whole days on holidays, there is no awareness about foot ball, many people in rural India have not heard about foot ball, inviting legends like Rinaldo, messi, will bring greater awareness among the population.

 

[Kashmiri Pandit]

It was great playing foot ball when I was in college, we played foot ball whole days on holidays, there is no awareness about foot ball, many people in rural India have not heard about foot ball, inviting legends like Rinaldo, messi, will bring greater awareness among the population.

Football is the reason behind Turn around in my Life .

I played cricket in Academy . I can't kick football . So I was made goalkeeper during warm up before match .
I tried to prevent goal . I tried to kick the ball outside the box . Instead I hit the opposition player .
I broke my Toe . This injury gave me important time for introspection .

2 months later , I dropped out from B tech CSE ( 4th year ) and gave up on my dream to become Cricketer .
Now 2 1/2 years later , I am in last year of BA Sociology with great love for Football .

 

[Barrel-Bomba]

sure, cr7, messi will come









a few years after they've retired from all other proper football.

 

[Kashmiri Pandit]

sure, cr7, messi will come









a few years after they've retired from all other proper football.

 

[Barrel-Bomba]

it's the truth, but what can can realistically think of doing is getting young aspirational european league footballers from south america to play here.

I have 0 expectations from any local talent to ever shine in the big leagues, much less a strong international side... it's just not our thing maybe.

 

[Kashmiri Pandit]

it's the truth, but what can can realistically think of doing is getting young aspirational european league footballers from south america to play here.

I have 0 expectations from any local talent to ever shine in the big leagues, much less a strong international side... it's just not our thing maybe.

At least things are changing . Hope and Hype have increased .
In 25 to 50 years , We sure will see change , If we stay alive by that time

It will be difficult to get PL , LA LIGA , Bundslega top players to play in ISL ( in its current 8 team version ) .
But we already have players from these leagues who are in their 30's .
Most young players will come from Lower Divisions like League 1 and League 2 or from Brazil .

 

[Barrel-Bomba]

At least things are changing . Hope and Hype have increased .
In 25 to 50 years , We sure will see change , If we stay alive by that time

It will be difficult to get PL , LA LIGA , Bundslega top players to play in ISL ( in its current 8 team version ) .
But we already have players from these leagues who are in their 30's .
Most young players will come from Lower Divisions like League 1 and League 2 or from Brazil .

I'm going to remain skeptical until I see it for myself, in all these years all we would've seen something but baitchung bhutia and sunil chettri is all we have to show.

in tennis we get doubles and mixed doubles champions but "doubles" isn't proper tennis anyway, a lone federer would proper whip a triplet of a secular Indian team comprising sania, mahesh and leander.

 

[livingdead]

Football is the reason behind Turn around in my Life .

I played cricket in Academy . I can't kick football . So I was made goalkeeper during warm up before match .
I tried to prevent goal . I tried to kick the ball outside the box . Instead I hit the opposition player .
I broke my Toe . This injury gave me important time for introspection .

2 months later , I dropped out from B tech CSE ( 4th year ) and gave up on my dream to become Cricketer .
Now 2 1/2 years later , I am in last year of BA Sociology with great love for Football .

wow.. thats a roller coaster ride, do you feel upset that you wont be in tech field, coz many of your friends are.
final year? that is insane mate. This time do finish your sociology BA.

 

[Kashmiri Pandit]

wow.. thats a roller coaster ride, do you feel upset that you wont be in tech field, coz many of your friends are.
final year? that is insane mate. This time do finish your sociology BA.

Ya ! It has been a Hell of a Ride .
Ummm ! Not upset , as to begin with I was forced by parents into Engineering . But I sure miss College life .
Ya . The only thing I regret is , I waited too long . 3 years of my life are a complete waste of Money , resources and Time .

Hoping for the Best . If I pass my BA next year , I will apply for Banks .

 

[livingdead]

Ya ! It has been a Hell of a Ride .
Ummm ! Not upset , as to begin with I was forced by parents into Engineering . But I sure miss College life .
Ya . The only thing I regret is , I waited too long . 3 years of my life are a complete waste of Money , resources and Time .

Hoping for the Best . If I pass my BA next year , I will apply for Banks .

ya... its good to pursue what you like and not under pressure from parents. but why did you wait till 4th year. did you fail in many subjects?