Irishman visits Ronaldinho's Brazil home after befriending footballer on Instagram

Paul Walsh, who plays for Gaelic football side Brosna, had the best 2021 any football fan could hope so. The Irishman struck up an unlikely friendship with Ronaldinho on Instagram and got invited to visit the legendary footballer at his home in Brazil.

Walsh was pictured hanging out with Ronaldinho and even played a game of keepy-uppies with the iconic footballer. The former Milan star was seen posing for pictures and was seen holding up a Kerry County football jersey.

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."

Kerry GAA posted a picture of the duo on Twitter, writing: "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."

And while fans were sceptical of the mysterious meet and greet, they were all for the wholesome moment Walsh shared with Ronaldinho.