Ronaldo with new Spanish team returns to Edmonton

David Espinar is making his first trip to Edmonton, but the famous owner of his Spanish footbball team Real Valladolid has been here before.

The Brazilian legend Ronaldo will be in attendance when Real Valladolid take on Cardiff City in an exhibition game on Saturday at Commonwealth Stadium.

Ronaldo is a majority owner of Real Valladolid and was in Edmonton as part of the Brazil World Cup squad in 1994, a few weeks before the FIFA World Cup in the United States.

Just 17-years-old at the time, Ronaldo was on the bench as Canada tied Brazil 1-1 in an exhibition game in front of nearly 52,000 fans at the Commonwealth Stadium.



The game is considered historical and as monumental feat in Canadian football history.

Canadian legend Eddy Berdusco scored the equalizing goal to the shock of everyone in the stadium including the five time world champions. Brazil went on to win their 4^th World Cup in the United States.

“This is the first time I’m in Canada and I’m very happy to be here, because as a kid I’ve always admired but I’ve never had a chance to visit,” Espinar said. “Now outside of the sporting side of things, personally, it’s a trip that I’m excited about.”

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Real Valladolid is preparing for its second-consecutive season in the top division of the La Liga. He and Ronaldo took over the club in September last season. Both are looking forward to the exhibition game against Cardiff, who were regulated from the English Premier League this past season.

“We had been following them in the Premier League,” Espinar said. “For us as a Spanish team we know it’s going to be a tough game.

"Cardiff plays a direct game and it’s a different style from what they play in Spain.

"For me, I really like English soccer and I like Spanish soccer and I think it’s going to be a very entertaining game for those who come out to watch it.

“I’m convinced everyone is going to be very entertained because they are both very good teams.”