Ronaldinho brings Brazilian magic to Jamaica for ‘98 Reggae Boyz tribute
Key Points(5)
- Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho will headline a four-day visit to Jamaica from December 3-7, with an exhibition match, a tribute to the historic 1998 Reggae Boyz World Cup squad and engagements with the island’s music fraternity among the planned activities.
- Dinho Promotions announced the visit in a press release, outlining a program designed to celebrate both the Brazilian superstar’s illustrious career and the Jamaican team that made history at the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France.
- Tribute dinner to honor World Cup pioneers A highlight of the visit will be a tribute dinner on Friday, December 4, where Ronaldinho will be honored and will join in recognizing members of Jamaica’s 1998 World Cup squad.
- Organizers said the former Reggae Boyz have not reunited as a group since their appearance in France.
- Most members have already indicated that they intend to attend the event.
Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho will headline a four-day visit to Jamaica from December 3-7, with an exhibition match, a tribute to the historic 1998 Reggae Boyz World Cup squad and engagements with the island’s music fraternity among the planned activities.
Dinho Promotions announced the visit in a press release, outlining a program designed to celebrate both the Brazilian superstar’s illustrious career and the Jamaican team that made history at the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France.
Tribute dinner to honor World Cup pioneers
A highlight of the visit will be a tribute dinner on Friday, December 4, where Ronaldinho will be honored and will join in recognizing members of Jamaica’s 1998 World Cup squad.
Organizers said the former Reggae Boyz have not reunited as a group since their appearance in France. Most members have already indicated that they intend to attend the event.
The celebrations will move to the National Stadium in St. Andrew on Sunday, December 6, when a Ronaldinho and Friends XI faces the Jamaica Legends, a team made up primarily of players from that landmark squad.
The day’s program will begin with an All-Manning versus All-daCosta schoolboy football clash, staged in cooperation with the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association. Several other prominent personalities are also expected to participate.
Football icon with a musical connection
Ronaldinho’s visit will extend beyond the pitch, with organizers expecting him to connect with members of Jamaica’s music industry.
The 2002 World Cup champion is known to be a reggae fan and operates his own music label, Tu Música. He recently collaborated with Jamaican dancehall star Sean Paul on “Lead,” a track from his CAMISA 10 album, which also features several Latin artists.
Dinho Promotions said the visit would give Jamaicans a rare opportunity to experience the “Magic of Ronaldinho,” pointing to the joy he brought to football as well as the humility and generosity he has displayed throughout his career.
A decorated career on the world stage
Ronaldinho enjoyed success with several leading European clubs, including Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan. He reached the pinnacle of international football with Brazil’s 2002 World Cup triumph and won the Ballon d’Or in 2005.
His appearance in Jamaica will bring together two football stories: the global appeal of one of Brazil’s most celebrated players and the enduring legacy of the Reggae Boyz who took Jamaica to its first World Cup in 1998.
