Foxboro (Massachusetts), July 28: Ronaldinho made his first appearance for Barcelona yesterday, coming on in the second half of a friendly against Italian giants Juventus that Barcelona won in a penalty shoot-out. The 23-year-old Brazilian left Paris Saint-Germain in a 30-million-euro deal earlier this month, Barcelona winning out over English premeirship club Manchester United in the drawn-out transfer saga.
Sunday's match, part of the champions world series of club friendlies being staged across the united states, finished 2-2 after 90 minutes. Javier Saviola of Argentina scored twice in the first half for Barcelona, in the 28th and 41st, while Marco De Vaio struck in the 86th and Fabrizio Miccoli in the 87th for Juventus to force the shootout. Defender Carlos Puyol delivered the deciding penalty in the shootout.

Ronaldinho came on in the 46th minute, and converted his attempt in the penalty shootout with a right-footed shot past Juventus keeper Buffon.

"I'm very happy to play my first match, score my first goal and help earn a victory," he said, adding that just putting on a Barcelona jersey for his first official game had given him the shivers.

Bureau Report