Brazilian legend Ronaldinho and former Argentina international Juan Roman Riquelme have reportedly offered to come out of retirement to play for South American club Chapecoense, which was devastated when the plane carrying their first-team squad to Colombia for the Copa Sudamerica final crashed on Tuesday.
Some reports have suggested Ronaldinho, who won the World Cup with Brazil and can list Barcelona, AC Milan and PSG among his previous employers, and former Argentina international Juan Roman Riquelme have offered their services for free.
Ronaldinho’s agent and brother, Roberto Assis, said no talks had yet taken place – as Brazil continued to mourn the tragedy – but he confirmed that the two-time FIFA World Player of the Year will do all he can to help the club.
‘It is a very difficult time,’ Assis told Globo Esporte. ‘Later on, if there is a contact, we can talk.
‘I can only say that we are here and we want to help.
‘He (Ronaldinho) fits the profile, can be the right guy. But the moment is to help families and it would be (wrong) to create expectations for now. As Brazilians, we feel involved. We are together.’