Brazilian Ronaldo comes on as sub for Essex Sunday League side under name 'Dave Walsh'

Phoenix FC thought they had hit the jackpot when the Brazilian Ronaldo rocked up to play for Sunday League for them - but he wasn't quite the player he once was

There's a saying in football, you never lose your touch, but Essex Sunday League side Phoenix FC might just disagree with that statement.

Phoenix FC were given a huge helping hand when Ronaldo rocked up to play - which as a friendly way of describing his ambling performance - as their super sub. Phoenix FC are bottom of the NWL Division 8 and attract an average ‘crowd’ of three.

However, the former Ballon d'Or winner, 47, was registered under the name Dave Walsh to try and turn their fortunes around. Donning a designer coat and sunglasses, fresh off a plane from Sao Paulo, Ronaldo was a million miles away from what he once knew in the profesional game.

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Ronaldo took his coat off, revealing the No.17, and trundled out on the mud-bath of a pitch. He performed a slick rabona from kick-off - but that was about it.

He wasn't the player he once was and as conditions worsened on a cold Sunday morning, Ronaldo’s interest in the game waned. After being caught moping around in an offside position and on his phone, he was promptly subbed back off.

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The Phoenix FC manager said, after losing 7-0: "The lads couldn’t believe it when Ronaldo showed up – I hadn’t registered him so used the name ‘Dave Walsh’ and put him on the bench.

"Sadly, he was anything but a Super Sub. He was late by the time he got changed and we were already well behind by the time I could put him on, but it’s definitely a moment I’ll remember forever. The rest of his performance? Less memorable."

Ronaldo's horror-show on a cold, muddy morning in Essex was all part of a stunt for Paddy Power. Super Sub is Paddy Power’s new betting feature – which transfers bets on the players coming on when players are subbed off.

A spokesman said: "They say form is temporary but, having seen him in the flesh, Ronaldo’s post-retirement form does now seem pretty permanent. It happens to us all, R9.

‌“Luckily, punters don’t need to get out of shape with our new Super Sub feature, which transfers bets when your player is subbed off.

‌“It’s the best product we’ve ever released - exclusive to Paddy Power - and we’re loving the fact our punters are in the game for longer, and have more chances of winning.”

Super Sub is available pre-match and in-play on singles, multiples, and Bet Builder bets.

It's available on the following markets: Anytime goalscorer, player to have 1+ shot on target, player to commit 1+ foul, player to be fouled 1+ time, player to be carded and player to score or assist.