Nicklas Bendtner and Aaron Lennon are set to join Ronaldinho and Jermain Defoe at the Stadium of Light.
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Former Sunderland striker Nicklas Bendtner and ex-Tottenham Hotspur and Everton winger Aaron Lennon are set to appear at the Stadium of Light for the Ronaldinho & Friends game, The Echo understands.
Sunderland will host the exhibition match on Monday, May 25, with kick-off scheduled for 5pm - just 24 hours after the Black Cats’ final Premier League fixture of the season against Chelsea. The game will see Ronaldinho captain a side of former stars against a UK Icons team led by Sunderland favourite Jermain Defoe.
As previously revealed by The Echo, several Brazilian greats are expected to be involved, including Fábio Rochemback, Maicon and Gilberto Silva. They join a growing list of names confirmed to be appearing at the event, including Djibril Cissé, Kléberson, Heurelho Gomes, Manchester United twins Fábio and Rafael, Fernando and Anderson.
The Echo also recently revealed that former Tottenham and Hull City defender Michael Dawson is set to feature. He is now expected to be joined by Lennon, 39, and former Arsenal striker Bendtner, who spent the 2011-12 season on loan at Sunderland, with the trio having played at the Stadium of Light multiple times across their respective careers.
Bentdner, now 38, spent the 2011-12 season on loan at the Stadium of Light, making 30 appearances in all competitions and finishing as the club’s top Premier League scorer with eight goals. His spell included some memorable moments, most notably a penalty in the Tyne-Wear derby against Newcastle United and goals in wins over Liverpool, Bolton Wanderers and Queens Park Rangers. Bendtner also scored in Sunderland’s 3-3 draw away to Manchester City, a result that briefly threatened to damage City’s title charge before their dramatic final-day triumph.
After leaving Sunderland, Bendtner returned to Arsenal before later spells with Juventus, Wolfsburg, Nottingham Forest, Rosenborg and FC Copenhagen. He also remained a high-profile figure for Denmark, scoring 30 goals in 81 senior international appearances and representing his country at major tournaments.
The event continues to gather momentum, with further additions expected in the coming days as organisers finalise both squads. Tickets are on sale now via Sunderland’s official website, starting at £25 for adults and £20 for concessions. Hospitality packages are also available, including access to Quinns Sports Bar and executive boxes.
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Sunderland’s then-Chief Business Officer David Bruce said: “It is an absolute privilege to host this game and welcome one of the most iconic legends of the sport. The Stadium of Light is known for hosting big occasions, and this event with Ronaldinho is no different.”
Marcel Nalyan, Chief Curator of the Ronaldinho & Friends game, added: “Ronaldinho’s love for football has never faded, not even with the close of his professional career. It had been a long time since he last visited the UK, and he had longed for the chance to play there once more. When the opportunity with Sunderland arose, he said immediately: ‘Let’s do it!’ From the very beginning, he loved everything about the fans on Wearside, the stadium, and all that comes with it.”