South American football greats Ronaldinho and Juan Roman Riquelme are both set to come out of retirement to play for Chapecoense, the football team who lost 19 players on route to Columbia, killing 71 people on board.
Reports from South America suggest Ronaldinho is willing to dust off his old boots and play for Chapecoense for free for one, possibly two seasons.
Riquelme is set to follow suit, while Brazilian sides have offered to loan players to Chapecoense free of charge.
Juan Roman Riquelme (Getty Images)
Ronaldinho's manager and brother Roberto Assis confirmed that the former superstar is willing to help the club out any way possible.
"It is a very difficult time. Later on, if there is a contact, we can talk," he told Globo Esporte.
"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."
Chapecoense are set to play their final league match on December 11 (Local time) but their opponent's Atletico Mineiro will most likely forfeit the match.
The Brazilian Football Confederation have already announced that games due to take place this week and the weekend after would be postponed.
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has announced that a minutes silence will be held ahead of all of next week's Champions League and Europa League matches as a mark of respect to those who died.
"This tragedy has shaken the world of football, and we would like to send our support to all of those affected by it."
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