Rio De Janeiro, July 02: Brazilian Soccer super-star Ronaldo has participated in a friendly match to benefit the president's "Zero Hunger" program. Ronaldo left behind the international soccer stage, but not the photographers when he agreed to take part on Monday's (June 30) , "Friends of Emerson" charitable game, which sought to raise funds to feed the South American nation's hungry. Along with other soccer stars, such as Djalminha and Serginho, the Real Madrid striker agreed to play in the exhibition game, organized as part of the Brazilian President's "Zero Hunger" campaign, More than a one-time campaign to wipe out hunger in Latin America's largest nation, organizers deem it as an ongoing program that would last several years. The striker, who earlier in the month made possible Real Madrid's championship, commented on the need for more events like this to be organised.


"Always with the idea of helping out, people bringing food and such, are the type of initiative we need in our country," he said.


Fans were ecstatic to see one of Brazil's greatest players back home. "I feel a great emotion being near my idol, Ronaldinho, and that is why I want to be near him whenever he is here (in Brazil)," said a visibly-excited unidentified fan.


Alluding to rumours that fame had changed the Brazilian crack for the worst, another unidentified fan said: "The guy is a '10'. people criticise him saying he is spoiled, but it is not true, he is the world's greatest,"


Event organizers said some 10 tonnes of non-perishable food were collected at the match, as hundreds of fans attended the game, eager to get a glimpse or perhaps an autograph, from the world-renown soccer star.


Bureau Report