Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Ricky Rubio may have been a professional basketball player since 14 years old, but the Catalan can also work his magic on the football pitch.
Amid the imminent threat of heavy rain, Rubio pushed through with his morning football game with two famous brothers and scores of kids helping him with his love for “The Beautiful Game.”
As part of his “Take On Manila” tour, Rubio stopped by Gatorade Chelsea FC Blue Pitch in Makati City on Saturday to play with James and Phil Younghusband and kids from the football clinic.
Rubio has “always played football as a kid,” with the famed Camp Nou of FC Barcelona being the centerpiece of the Spanish region.
The 6’4” Rubio looked like an oversized kid playing with the members of the Chelsea clinic and defending a child with disability.
Like Barcelona icons Xavi and four-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi, Rubio wore the Blaugrana of the famed club, except the sleeves of his jersey were cut off.
Scores of kids were enthralled when the Minnesota Timberwolves point guard took off his bright-blue sneakers and laced vibrant-green cleats as he dribbled his way inside the blue pitch.
Not only did Rubio juggle and display his on-foot trickery, he also picked up unsuspecting kids and carried them around the turf. RC