It has never taken Ronaldinho too much space to make an impact. A few inches here, a yard or two there, and the Brazilian icon is used to making the difference. Now imagine what he can do with a full field at his mercy! The answer is an explosion of ecstasy, as evident on the grounds of St. Xavier’s College (Autonomous), Kolkata, where the former Ballon d’Or winner dazzled a massive crowd on the morning of October 17. As part of his three-day visit to the City of Joy, organised by A Satadru Dutta Initiative, Ronaldinho was hosted and felicitated by the St. Xavier’s College (Calcutta) Alumni Association, before a few lucky Xaverians received the chance to interact with the 43-year-old footballing magician.
Xaverians waiting with bated breath for Ronaldinho Amit Pramanik
The buzz for Ronaldinho started building a full two hours before he was anywhere near Park Street on a hot autumn morning. With the vacation vibes already wafting through St. Xavier’s (both the school and the college close for the Durga Puja celebrations this week), the excitement to see one of the greatest footballers of all time was palpable. Even though the occasion was formally supposed to be a college event, hundreds of kids from St. Xavier’s Collegiate School (the school and the college are on opposite sides of the St. Xavier’s field) streamed in soon after Waka Waka and Wavin’ Flag started blasting through the loudspeakers. Hearing that, an intra-school debate competition on the school’s first floor had to be concluded prematurely. Nobody wanted to listen to speeches at the risk of missing out on Ronaldinho!
A ‘Xaverian’ t-shirt and a football boot-shaped chain for Ronaldinho
Ronaldinho did not stop waving while making his way from one end of the field to the other Amit Pramanik
Soon enough, the St. Xavier’s grounds, complete with a ramp and barricades for security purposes, were packed more tightly than an Italian defence. A riot of colour took over the campus, with college students taking advantage of not having to wear uniforms (unlike the school kids) to don their Brazil, Barcelona and AC Milan jerseys. On stage, after what felt like an eternal wait, Ronaldinho showed up. A little before noon. His megawatt smile in tact. Reverend Dr Dominic Savio, SJ, Principal, St. Xavier’s College, welcomed and felicitated the man of the moment. A ‘Xaverian’ t-shirt was handed over to Ronaldinho, along with a special gold-plated football boot-shaped chain in silver made by Senco Gold, as the noise reached deafening levels.
Ronaldinho receiving a special gold-plated silver chain from Senco Gold Abhishek Banerjee
Walking from the stage (near the part of the campus that contains the gymnasium) to the goalpost at the opposite end of the field, Ronaldinho did not stop waving at his sea of admirers. When in front of goal, he did what he does like no other, toying with the ball as if it were an extension of his body. For a few mesmerising minutes, nothing else mattered. And then, having decorated St. Xavier’s with his artistry, Ronaldinho was gone.
‘Ronaldinho and I made eye contact. I’m sure he looked at me’
Vivek Mahato (left) and Ritam Dey (right; in the Brazil jersey) Amit Pramanik
A few lucky Xaverians had their day made after receiving signed jerseys from the man himself. One of them was Vivek Mahato, 19, who said: “My father is a Brazil fan, but I’m a Ronaldinho fan. I can’t describe how I’m feeling right now!” Ritam Dey, 20, has been supporting Brazil “since birth”. Even though he did not get Ronaldinho’s signature, Ritam got to shake hands with his idol. As did Barcelona fan Subhayan Chakraborty, 20. “I will remember this day forever,” was Ritam’s reaction. “It’s crazy to think that you turn up in college one fine day and get to meet Ronaldinho. I’ve grown up watching Barcelona and Ronaldinho is a huge part of my life,” said Subhayan.
Jyoitree (too excited to mention her surname!), 21, was convinced that “Ronaldinho and I made eye contact. I’m sure he looked at me”. In case Ronaldinho did, he would have seen the kind of sheer joy that he has brought to football fans throughout his career. The kind of sheer joy that can convert a normal Tuesday at St. Xavier’s into an occasion of a lifetime.
