Ronaldinho-led legends match postponed until further notice
Ronaldinho Gaucho
What you need to know:
- The event was also set to receive high-level recognition, with Zanzibar President Dr. Hussein Mwinyi expected to officiate as Guest of Honour, highlighting the game’s significance both nationally and continentally.
Dar es Salaam. The highly anticipated international friendly between Brazilian football legends and their Zanzibar counterparts, famously dubbed the “Match of the Legends,” has been postponed until further notice.
Originally scheduled for July 27, 2025 at Amaan Complex Stadium in Zanzibar at 8pm, the match was expected to be one of the region’s most spectacular sporting events, featuring global football icon Ronaldo de Assís Moreira, better known as Ronaldinho Gaucho, alongside other renowned Brazilian stars.
In a public notice released by the organizing committee on July 22, the match was officially postponed due to circumstances beyond the organizers’ control. The committee expressed deep regret and extended apologies to football fans, the general public, and all sports stakeholders, assuring that updates will be provided once a new date is confirmed.
The announcement echoed remarks from Abdulsamad Abdulrahim, Brazil’s Honorary Consul in Zanzibar, who cited unavoidable reasons behind the decision. Despite the postponement, Abdulrahim confirmed that the visiting Brazilian legends will still arrive in Zanzibar and conduct a training session with young local footballers on July 26, reaffirming their commitment to talent development and community engagement.
The Zanzibar legends team was to include notable local stars such as Abdallah Juma Alley (also known as Abdulwakati Juma), Murtala Ahmad Kibamba, Bakari Masoud, and Nassoro Mwinyi Bwanga, among others — all set to represent the pride and heritage of Zanzibar football.
According to Abdulrahim, the match was more than a football showpiece; it was a strategic effort to position Zanzibar on the global map, especially in Brazil and Latin America. The event was expected to attract enormous international attention, with projections of over two billion viewers worldwide through a global broadcast.
He emphasized that Ronaldinho’s presence, with his 70 million-plus social media followers, would have been a powerful tool to promote Zanzibar’s tourism, investment potential, and sporting culture on a global scale.
“The match was part of a broader initiative to stimulate investment in Zanzibar and build momentum in the development of football. The island is rich in footballing talent that deserves global exposure,” Abdulrahim stated.
The event was also set to receive high-level recognition, with Zanzibar President Dr. Hussein Mwinyi expected to officiate as Guest of Honour, highlighting the game’s significance both nationally and continentally.
While the postponement presents a temporary setback, there remains optimism and enthusiasm for the rescheduling of the match. With extensive preparations already in place and the participating legends committed, the “Match of the Legends” is poised to deliver a memorable football spectacle once a new date is confirmed.
