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(Image: TWITTER)

A photo shared by the former Brazil ace shows him and the Head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, hanging out in Grozny, Russia.

Kadyrov's rule has been marked by violent homophobia, including allegations of concentration camps for homosexuals.

But the Barcelona star, 37, seems blissfully unaware as he stands beside him for an event at the Akhmat-Arena.

Edward Lord, ex-chair of the FA's Inclusion Advisory Board, told Daily Star Online the picture sent a "negative message".

He said: "I'm surprised and disappointed that a player of his standing would pose with someone as patently evil as the President of Chechnya.

"The situation there is unacceptable – young gay people are being rounded up and put in prison camps, akin to what was going 75 years ago in Nazi Germany.

"We want international footballers to be positive role models for young people, be they gay, straight, bisexual of whatever," Mr Lord added.

David Allison, treasurer of LGBT rights group Outrage, told Daily Star Online that Ronaldinho should be more careful who he poses with.

"He is naive if he doesn't realise that by talking to these individuals it might suggest he has some kind of affinity with them.

"He should be more circumspect and aware that what he does might likely influence how he is perceived," Mr Allison said.

Ronaldinho was presented with a special shirt to mark his visit and afterwards praised his warm welcome on Twitter.

(Image: TWITTER)

He wrote: "I was very well received! It was very special to come this far and be received with much affection!"

He was marking the local team's first match under the name FC Akhmat, after Mr Kadryov's father, Akhmad.

Mr Kadyrov last week denied that there was violent homophobia or even homosexuals in Chechnya.

Daily Star Online contacted representatives for Ronaldinho for comment.