'Simply did not believe me' - Lucas Pinheiro Braathen's hilarious meeting with Ronaldo Nazario at Paris Fashion Week
Published 27/09/2025 at 11:18 GMT+1
Lucas Pinheiro Braathen spoke about an interesting encounter with one of Brazil's all-time greatest footballers. The 25-year-old switched his international allegiance from Norway to Brazil and made his return to Alpine Skiing in 2024, and recounted a revealing conversation with one of the game's all-time greatest-ever strikers at Paris during Fashion Week.
SUN VALLEY, USA - MARCH 27: Lucas Pinheiro Braathen of Team Brazil inspects the course during the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Men's and Women's Slalom on March 27, 2025 in Sun Valley, USA. (Photo by Christophe Pallot/Agence Zoom/Getty Images)
Image credit: Getty Images
Lucas Pinheiro Braathen is used to being met with stunned responses when telling people he is a skier representing Brazil.
The country of golden sands and tropical weather is not typically paired with a sport which relies on mountains and a significant amount of snow.
Braathen is not a typical Brazilian though, having been raised in Norway with a Norwegian father and a Brazilian mother.
After starting his career representing Norway, the 25-year-old decided to change his allegiance to Brazil in March 2024.
Braathen spoke in more detail about the interesting discussion which his profession prompted, including one with a certain 2002 World Cup winner.
He said: "It's very fun when you're out and about in the streets, and you can be out dancing, or you're sitting at a restaurant or whatever, and you meet someone new, and they ask where you're from, what you're up to, and I say I'm a skier.
"And as a matter of fact, I also represent Brazil. It's always this mind-blowing moment, and it always sparks a very interesting conversation."
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‘Not coming back to be anything other than the best’ – Braathen on highly anticipated return
Video credit: TNT Sports
Speaking in more detail about his chat with the legendary Brazilian striker, Braathen explained: "I think the first time I met Ronaldo was in Paris during Fashion Week, and he was asking whether I was a model or what I was doing there. I said, no, in fact, I'm an athlete as well.
"And he said, 'OK, so you're a football player.' No, I don't know how to put this, but I'm actually a skier.
"He then said: ‘You're a Brazilian skier?’ And I said, 'yeah, as a matter of fact, I am.' Then he just said, ‘like, yeah, sure.’
"And then he just left the conversation. Then we were set across each other for dinner, and then I got to tell the story, but he just simply did not believe me.
"I think it's a very surprising conversation for him and it was definitely a fun moment."
Pinheiro will head to Milano Cortina next year aiming to become the first South American to win a medal at the Winter Olympics.
When speaking in an interview with insidethegames regarding his medal aspirations, he said: "Can you imagine? A Brazilian winning a Winter Olympic medal. Nobody expects it, but that’s what makes it so thrilling."
The 2026 Winter Games will take place from February 6-22, with the event shown live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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