Ronaldo Finishes 2015 PCA Main Event In 26th For $42,180 Payday

The PokerStars Caribbean Adventure Main Event attracted a huge field of 816 players to the Atlantis Resort & Casino in Paradise Island, in the process creating a prize pool worth almost $8 million. As usual many of the most talented pros in the game turned out hoping to lay claim to the $1,491,580 top prize, but the tournament was also attended by a number of celebrities from other fields, including the Brazilian soccer legend commonly known as Ronaldo.
Having retired from his chosen sport in 2011, Ronaldo was signed to Team PokerStars in April 2013, but had so far failed to cash in any live tournaments. The 38 year-old couldn’t have asked for a much better start to 2015, however, after a deep run in the $10,300 PCA Main Event saw him survive through to Day 4 in 18th place out of the 57 remaining players.
“I’m really excited, it’s the same emotion I used to have at the soccer fields playing at the highest level. The experience has been great. My first goal was to get a prize in a big tournament. I did that and now my focus is to get as deep as I can in the challenge – to get to the final table,” explained Ronaldo.
On Day 5, however, Ronaldo’s impressive run finally came to an end after opening from middle position with Kd-10d, only to be three-bet by Brazilian rental car entrepreneur Eugenio Mattar holding pocket queens. Ronaldo subsequently pushed all-in and with the dealer subsequently laying out a 5c-Jc-9s-8c-Jh board, the soccer star was sent to the rail in 26th place for a $42,180 payday. Nevertheless, as well as booking his first tournament cash, Ronaldo now has the honor of going deeper than any other sports star has ever managed in the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure’s 10-year history, and showing appreciation to his many supporters, later tweeted:
“The field was 816 n I got in 25th. Congrats to all who made this happen!”