Brazil, Barcelona legend Ronaldinho joins ownership group of USL clubs Greenville Triumph, Greenville Liberty

Brazil legend Ronaldinho has joined the ownership group of USL clubs Greenville Triumph SC and Greenville Liberty, the teams announced Wednesday.

The former Barcelona, AC Milan and PSG ace put pen to paper at the New York Stock Exchange, where he rang the closing bell as a part of International Day.

“The emphasis the Greenville Triumph and Liberty place on youth play through the boys and girls youth academy teams, and the level of competitive excellence of the Triumph professional team and Liberty pre-professional team is impressive,” Ronaldinho said. “For me and our group, this is an opportunity to support soccer’s growth at all ages and levels, and to be part of a community that values international presence and a unique blend of cultures.”

Greenville Triumph SC, the men's side, are in USL League One, while their women's club, Greenville Liberty, play in the USL W League.

Roberto Assis, Ronaldinho’s brother and business partner, spoke highly of the city, club and the location as they look to be a part of the growth of the domestic game in the buildup to major footballing events in the U.S. over the next few years.

“In our visits to Greenville meeting with senior staff of the Triumph and Liberty we’ve been charmed by your beautiful, warm and welcoming community," he said. "Its proximity to Atlanta, a key city for the upcoming World Cup, makes this an important area for the sport’s continued expansion in the United States.”

The U.S. is set to host the FIFA Club World Cup in 2025, the FIFA World Cup in 2026 and, this past summer, hosted the Copa America 2024. With three of the largest tournaments in the world being played in the USA, it's a sign of growth for the game domestically.

The Triumph are back in action on Saturday when they take on the Spokane Velocity in USL League One. The Liberty, meanwhile, ended their season in June, finishing fifth in the South Central Division.

The Triumph are fourth in their league standings.