I’d argue that of all the sports communities in the world, soccer is the most close-knit, especially in South America where, for many people, football is life. After the recent, tragic deaths of many players in Chapecoense, an outpouring of love and helping hands have poured in from all over the world. From Brazilian clubs amending the relegation rules to help Chapecoense remain in the premier division to PSG reportedly donating tens of millions of dollars, the soccer community around the globe has rallied around the Brazilian club.
As it turns out, more help is on the way, and that help is coming in the form of two legendary soccer stars: Brazilian LEGEND Ronaldinho AND Argentinian playmaker Riquelme have offered to come out of retirement to play for Chapecoense for the next couple of years, free of charge.
https://twitter.com/arturpetrosyan/status/804311180965773313
via The Sun:
The footballing world has come together to pay tribute to the side and their families that left just three Chapecoense players surviving the plane crash.
Whilst Brazilian sides have offered to loan players to the club free of charge, reports are circulating that Ronaldinho and Riquelme have offered to dust off their boots pull on the green and white of Chapecoense.
Riquelme, who last played for Argentinos Juniors in 2014, has won Argentina’s Footballer of the Year four times whilst Ronaldinho was crowned the world’s best player in 2005.
Although Ronaldinho is currently without a club after being released from Fluminense after just seven games, he was thought to be considering a final swansong in the MLS.
The two stars have 147 combined caps for both Brazil and Argentina.
Chapecoense are set to play their final league match of the season on December 11 despite the recent heartbreaking events.
Nothing brings man together quite like adversity, so hopefully this gesture from two football legends inspires even more people to pitch in a helping hand to Chapecoense.
