Irish Man Befriends Ronaldinho Over Instagram And Visits His Home In Brazil
One of the best stories of 2021.
An Irish bloke has struck up an unlikely friendship with Ronaldinho and has spent time 'round his place. You can see a clip of the pair here:
Paul Walsh, who plays for Gaelic football team Brosna, has been pictured hanging out with the footballing legend at his home in Rio de Janeiro - and even took part in a game of keepy-uppies.
The former AC Milan star was happy to pose for pics, including one in which he's holding up a Kerry county football team jersey (Gaelic football, obviously) - and the images have since gone viral on social media as people started to question how the pair became pals.
Although unconfirmed, it's been suggested that the two ended up meeting after Walsh befriended Ronaldinho over Instagram and was told to pop in if he was ever in Brazil - which, if true, brings a whole new element to sliding into someone's DMs.
Speaking to SPIN South West, Leon Twiss, who works for the Kerry Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), said: "It is real. That is something I can definitely confirm.
"So, allegedly the story is that Paul was messaging Ronaldinho on social media, and they made a connection and the offer was put there that if he was ever in Brazil to make sure he called.
"And that's what happened - and they had a lovely evening together playing keepy uppies and chatting and, obviously, he was very lucky to be presented with a Kerry jersey as well.
"That's the alleged story."
She went on to say she'd be in touch with Walsh once he was home to confirm the internet rumours. But I think I speak for all of us when I say that I really, really hope they're true.
Elsewhere online it's been suggested it was actually Ronaldinho's brother who Walsh befriended, before flying out to Brazil to meet them both.
Meanwhile, Kerry GAA couldn't resist tweeting about the mysterious meet and greet.
Sharing a snap of the two men holding up the gold and green jersey, the club wrote: "Look at our own Paul Walsh of @BROSNAGAA over visiting the one and only Ronaldinho!
"Paul you might mention to him that he could win a house in Kerry if he buys a ticket here and then you could show him around the beautiful Kingdom #Ronaldinho #ReturnVisit."
Topics: Ronaldinho, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain
Josh Lawless