Ronaldinho, Ryan Giggs and Crespo to light up Premier Futsal in India

ByAmlan Majumdar, SportsCafe Editor

07/12/2016

The extravaganza is getting more extravagant with every passing announcement. Brazilian legend Ronaldinho, Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs, and Argentine legend Hernan Crespo have all signed up for the Premier Futsal League, and are set to feature in the tournament which starts from July 15.

Earlier, Manchester United legend Paul Scholes, former Real Madrid star Michel Salgado, former Portuguese playmaker Deco, and Futsal legend Falcao had been revealed as stars confirmed the inaugural season. However, the news of the arrival of Ronaldinho is sure to create a euphoria around this tournament in the nation. The former Barcelona man is hugely popular in the subcontinent, and for good reasons.

The two times FIFA World Player of the Year award winner had won two La Liga titles and a Champions League with Barcelona during his memorable stint in Spain. Ronaldinho, who won the World Cup in 2002, also scored 33 goals in 97 appearances for his nation. However, it is not the stats which define him as a footballer, as much as the way he played it. Arguably the greatest dribbler in the modern era, Ronaldinho literally controlled the ball with an invisible string.

The 36-year-old was rumored to have received offers from a few Indian Super League clubs as well in 2014, but he eventually chose to play for the Mexican club Queretaro.

While Ronaldinho might grab all the headlines, he will have pretty awesome companions as well. The Brazilian will go up against the likes of Ryan Giggs and Hernan Crespo, who have also been signed as marquee players by the league. Giggs, who had won 13 Premier League titles and two Champions League winners' medal during his 24-year stint as a player, will be a delight for the horde of Manchester United fans in the country.

His arrival will further boost the popularity and reach of the newly planned Premier Futsal League. Indian cricket star Virat Kohli is the co-owner of the tournament, which will be the first-ever multinational futsal league. The league is yet to receive approval from the AIFF and FIFA, and the former is reportedly considering legal action against it. This new league has trampled the Indian governing body's plans of launching a futsal league of their own along with their media partner IMG.

The inaugural tournament will take place in Chennai, while Kolkata will host the final. The league will be played from July 15 and is set to be broadcast on Sony Pictures Network.

Groups:

Group A: Chennai, Mumbai, Kochi

Group B: Goa, Kolkata, Bengaluru

Marquee Players:

Mumbai: Ryan Giggs

Goa: Ronaldinho

Kochi: Michel Salgado

Kolkata: Hernan Crespo

Chennai: Falcao

Bengaluru: Paul Scholes