Ronaldinho hasn’t signed for Chapecoense and any suggestions that he has is complete and utter bullshit.
Earlier this week, several media outlets had stories on so-called “reports” that the Brazilian playmaker, and Juan Roman Riquelme, were coming out of retirement to play for Chapecoense, the Brazilian team involved in a tragic plane crash in Colombia.
Two world class players and legends of South American football offering their help to the devastated club for their final game of the season next week would be a heartwarming gesture.
However, it’s just not true and media outlets who report it are spreading a lie.
The Ronaldinho rumour appeared to have started with a campaign on Instagram urging the former Barcelona player to sign for the club.
Ronaldinho’s brother and agent Roberto Assis was asked about the rumour. He said that there had been no contact from the club – unsurprisingly given they were dealing with the crash that saw almost their entire team die – but he and his brother would be happy to help in anyway they could.
Next thing there’s “reports” that Ronaldinho has come out of retirement to play for the club.
Except he hasn’t and either has Riquelme. The story is bullshit of the highest order.
71 people died in the accident, a team were on the way to the biggest match in their history, and there are extremely serious questions to be answered over the safety precautions and the amount of fuel on the plane for the journey.
Instead, some media outlets chose to focus on a fake story about a famous player.
If that wasn’t bad enough, an old photo of Ronaldinho is doing the rounds on Twitter, and the caption claims the Brazilian has signed for the club.
A simple Google image search reveals that the photo is from 2008, when Ronaldinho signed a sponsorship deal with a vitamin brand.
However, one doesn’t even need to do that to debunk the claim.
Just look at the photo, even if he had signed for the club, why would Ronaldinho be smiling at a press conference less than a week after 19 of the club’s players were killed in a horrific plane crash?
Unfortunately, some are falling for it.
One account even tweeted a doctored photo of him wearing a Chapecoense jersey.
https://twitter.com/AnthonyRubio5/status/805418664962953217
https://twitter.com/nombulelo_booi/status/805418349735841792
Ronaldinho Gaucho has joined Chapecoense Football Club on a free transfer
— Harold™ (@H_Ojay254) December 4, 2016
https://twitter.com/JohnKripsy/status/805428400898932736
Ronaldinho did show his support for the club with a post on his Twitter account.
#ForçaChape pic.twitter.com/R69F0qZJ1v
— Ronaldinho (@10Ronaldinho) December 3, 2016
But no, he hasn’t signed for them and these bullshit stories need to stop.
