By Charles Thomas
When Ronaldinho, one of the greatest footballers of our time was arrested alongside his brother Roberto Assis over a fake Passport issue in Paraguay and detained at Agrupacion Especializida Maximum security prison for 32 days, only two players visited him; that is Samuel Eto’o and Paraguay International Nelson Cuevas.
Later, E’too would call every evening to know how he was faring and gave him hope that things would be okay. Not even his allies could do that, at the time.
After pleading guilty to the charges, the two were fined £20,000 plus legal charges totalling £27,000.
When he informed Eto’o about the sentence and the huge fine, Eto’o responded ” Don’t worry bro, I will take care of everything,” and he wired the money so that Ronaldinho could be released.
Of all the prominent friends Ronaldinho made at the peak of his career, only that African that was once called a ” monkey” by racist Spanish and Italian fans was there for him.
Often, the fellows hanging around you today masquerading as big friends may not be there for you tomorrow. But there will always be one that will be more than a family to us – a friend that sticks closer than a brother. Friendship is tested by the ability to stand by each other in an hour of need.
It’s in your lowest moments in life that you know your true friends. May God help us to know our real friends!