Former two-time FIFA World Player of the year, Ronaldinho, made his Mexican football debut on Wednesday night for his new club, Queretaro, in a Copa MX 1-0 group stage loss against defending Cup champions U.A.N.L. Tigres. Wearing the number 49, he played the full 90 minutes and badly missed a penalty kick in the second half that would have given his team the tie.
The game was played in the friendly confines of La Corregidora in Queretaro, Mexico in a Group 1 game between the top two teams in the group. It was a moment that all Queretaro fans have anticipated since news broke on September 5th that the legendary Brazilian would be joining their team. It wasn’t until last Friday, September 12 that Ronaldinho was presented to Mexican fans, and the world, as the newest player for Los Gallos the roosters.
Ronaldinho’s debut came as one of the three forwards, lined up on the left side supporting top striker and fellow Brazilian, Ricardo Jesus while fellow striker Angel Sepulveda Sanchez played on the right. The Brazilian superstar certainly looked rusty after not playing competitively since July 27 with his last club, Atletico Mineiro in Brazil, as his shots were off the mark most of the night.
At 34 years old, and having signed a two-year deal with the Mexican club, this is being seen as Ronaldinho’s final contract before calling it quits on a decorated career. His career has seen him win two La Liga titles and one Champions League title with Barcelona, one Serie A title with AC Milan, one Copa Libertadores with Atletico Mineiro, and a Copa America, Confederations Cup and World Cup with Brazil.
The first half of last night’s Copa MX game had the atmosphere of a championship game mixed with a national holiday. The festive atmosphere in La Corregidora wasn’t even affected when former USMNT forward, Herculez Gomez scored in the 9th minute as he put Tigres up 1-0 in this crucial group match for first place. Even though Tigres dominated most of the first half, it did not dampen much of the fans enthusiasm.
The fans remained animated around the 33rd minute when Ronaldinho was called for a foul against him at midfield chasing a lose ball and fouling Gomez with what could have been perceived as a soft tap from the Brazilian superstar to draw a foul.
The second half seemed to bring more urgency from the home team as they had the better chances, even drawing a penalty in the 61st minute. Ronaldinho took the penalty and proceeded to sail the kick twenty feet over the net for a badly missed penalty, which led to many Gallos fans to gasp in disappointment and amazement at the horrific attempt by their new superstar player.
Unfortunately for Queretaro, they could not top off the night’s festivities with a single point for the home fans and fell to second place in the group, two points behind U.A.N.L. with one game left. Their next game in the Copa MX is next Tuesday, September 23 on the road against these same Tigres. Before that, they return to Liga MX action when they visit Chivas Guadalajara this Sunday, September 21.
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