RAWALPINDI: Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa today held a reception for visiting Brazilian football celebrity Ronaldinho and other seven top footballers.

Seven top footballers from around the world, including Brazilian legend Ronaldinho and Manchester United great Ryan Giggs, arrived in Pakistan on Saturday for two exhibition matches.

The footballers including former England goalkeeper David James, Dutch star George Boateng, former French players Robert Pires and Nicolas Anelka, and Portuguese player Luis Boa Morte reached Islamabad early Saturday morning via a private jet.

ISPR statement said that the COAS thanked the international soccer players for their visit and maintained that Pakistan is a peaceful and sports loving country as sports promote peace.

“Your visit is most welcomed by all Pakistanis especially young footballers,” COAS was quoted as saying by the ISPR.

“Sports promote peace and your visit is most welcomed by all Pakistanis especially young footballers,” said the army chief.

The Pakistan Army is providing security for the players and matches, deploying troops in and around hotels, airports and stadiums over the weekend, officials have said.

The lineup, of two teams dubbed ‘Ronaldinho-11’ and ‘Ryan Giggs-11’, is set to play with a group of Pakistani footballers for two seven-a-side matches in Karachi on Saturday and in Lahore on Sunday.