In an event that blended the extraordinary with the ordinary, a two-time Ballon d’Or recipient graced the Henderson Sports and Social club’s modest grounds in Essex. Arriving in a white limousine, the football legend, known as ‘R9’ but playing under the pseudonym Dave Walsh, joined Phoenix FC—a team at the bottom of the NWL Division 8—for a match. This appearance was part of the ‘Super Sub’ campaign by Paddy Power, which saw him flown in from Sao Paulo.
The scene of one of football’s finest talents competing on a sodden, local pitch was nothing short of surreal. Yet, this wasn’t the first instance of a Brazilian football icon dipping into the grassroots level of the sport. Two years before, Roberto Carlos, another Brazilian star, had a stint in Shrewsbury with Bull in the Barne United. The team had won his services through an eBay ‘Dream transfer’ raffle, with a mere £5 bid leading to a memorable experience for all involved.
On a brisk Friday morning, spectators and media converged on the Hanwood Village Hall Recreation Centre to witness the legendary left-back in action. Despite the venue’s humble facilities, the excitement was palpable as Carlos, donned in his maroon home kit, warmed up on a pitch far removed from the grandeur of the Santiago Bernabeu.
Carlos’ warm-up included practicing his iconic free-kicks, with varying degrees of success—one rocketing into the top corner, another veering dangerously close to a nearby school. When the match commenced, however, Carlos was not in the starting lineup, observing from the bench as Liam Turall, the man behind the winning bid, played left-back.
Eventually, Carlos, clad in blue and yellow boots and sporting impressive calves, joined the match to rapturous applause. Positioned in central midfield, his presence was more ceremonial than influential, as his fitness levels were a shadow of his prime. The game continued, and after a brief absence post-half-time for a knee massage, Carlos returned to the pitch to confidently convert a penalty, despite his team’s narrow 4-3 defeat.
Following the match, Carlos embraced the spirit of Sunday League, presenting the Man of the Match award, engaging with fans through selfies, and participating in post-match interviews, leaving an indelible mark on a day that celebrated the beautiful game in its purest form.
“To get to the Bernabeu I had to play on pitches like this when I was younger,” he told
“The ball is round everywhere. It’s completely normal when you play grassroots football, that’s how you play.
“It brought back some memories from the past when I used to play. They [the team] have quality. Tactically it’s not like the pros but the most important thing is that they enjoyed themselves. It was a great day.
“I’ve never played in an English team before, now I have! I only played a little but I played.”
Carlos still had a final Sunday League tradition to participate in; a post-match pint.