Former FC Barcelona player, Brazilian Ronaldinho (third left) kicks the ball watched by Pakistani football players during a friendly match in Lahore yesterday.
Retired Manchester United star Ryan Giggs yesterday said Pakistan has talented football players but the youngsters must work hard to get to the top.
The 43-year-old midfielder, who played for just one club his entire career, joined Brazilian star Ronaldinho and a string of other retired players for an exhibition game in Karachi on Saturday.
Pakistan, where cricket stars are treated like rock stars, has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup finals.
Giggs joined former England goalkeeper David James, Dutch star George Boateng, former French players Robert Pires and Nicolas Anelka, and Portuguese star Luis Boa Morte at the exhibition game watched by thousands of football enthusiasts.
"I've seen a glimpse of the talent here last night. Some young players came on and did well. So it's good to see that," Giggs said a day after the exhibition clash.
"The people have been telling me that the country has talent but there's no passage or gateway to get to the top. That's why we are here - to promote football," Giggs added in an interview broadcast on national TV.
The Welshman said Pakistan must bring qualified coaches to raise the standard of football in a country of 200 million people.
“To progress to the next level, you need to bring in the best coaches in the world. You need framework and infrastructure so that the Pakistani football can flourish,” Giggs, who made 64 appearances for Wales, added.
Giggs, who was born in Cardiff but moved to Manchester at the age of six, urged young players in Pakistan to put in the hours before setting about achieving their goals on a soccer pitch.
"I say the same thing to every young player, every young football player - you have to work hard. You have to sacrifice a lot and you have to have the desire and the hunger to succeed. But most importantly, you have to enjoy (playing) it," Giggs said.
When asked why he played his entire career for United under Sir Alex Ferguson, Giggs said: "Manchester United was my club growing up. It was the club that I supported obviously. During my career, I was lucky enough to win a lot of trophies so every season I thought about the challenge and I had no reason to leave."
He added: "They were my club. They were a great club. There was always a challenge at the beginning of the season so why leave?"
Giggs, who retired in 2014, said touring Pakistan was a memorable trip.
"I've enjoyed is thoroughly. We've been looked after really well. It was good last night. We've been told about enthusiasm and interest in football here and we've seen it for real last night. I am really enjoying it," Giggs said.
“Hopefully we can send the message across the world that Pakistan is a good place to visit and there is love for football here,” Giggs said ahead of the second exhibition game in Lahore.
Pakistan football captain Kaleemullah was thrilled to play against the former football stars.
"For us it's a big moment," Pakistan football captain Kaleemullah said on Saturday.
"We didn't ever dream that such big stars will come to Pakistan. I grew up watching Ronaldinho on television and I still can't believe it, he's in Pakistan," Kaleemullah added.
