The Lebanese people have been preoccupied with Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho’s visit to Beirut ever since his arrival on Tuesday.
He had first paid a visit to Lebanon in 2017 and had at the time expressed his delight in discovering a new country that he had heard a lot about from his friends.
This time, however, his visit illuminates a spark of hope in a country that is grappling with successive crises. It sends a message of solidarity with the victims of the Beirut blast nearly a year after the tragedy.
On the eve of his arrival, the Brazilian addressed his fans on Instagram, telling them he would see them soon.
Ronaldinho will stay in Lebanon until Thursday evening, and he plans on making several visits in the capital. He will visit the fire brigade headquarters in the Karantina area and then Port of Beirut, where he will lay flowers to pay tribute to the victims who lost their lives in the August 4 explosion.
He is also expected to visit the civil defense headquarters in the area.
Ronaldinho will also visit some of the charitable organizations that helped rebuild Beirut and offer aid to those affected by the blast, which claimed the lives over 200 people and devastated large swathes of the capital.
He will also pay a quick visit to the Lebanese national football team.
Former Bourj Sporting Club President, businessman Adnan Yassine helped organize the football legend’s visit.
He said his trip is aimed at shedding light on Lebanese culture and sports, as well as the blast tragedy.
“We scheduled his visit on the eve of the one-year anniversary of the Beirut explosion so that the international community will not forget this painful memory,” he added, noting Ronaldinho’s massive following on social media.
He was deeply touched by what happened in Beirut and he did not hesitate for a moment to express his solidarity with the families of the victims of the explosion, added Yassine.
