The attendance of Andrea Pirlo and Marco Materazzi, both Italian World Cup champions, at a sports event in Russia has ignited significant outrage. This incident coincided with one of Russia’s most aggressive missile assaults on Kyiv, marking a day of severe military aggression.

On Sunday, the former players participated in “Football Day” celebrations at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, where they interacted with fans and signed autographs. Notably, Artem Dzyuba, a prominent Russian striker and former captain, expressed pride in his nationality shortly after the invasion began. The event, organized by Fonbet, featured exhibition matches and performances by pro-Kremlin artists, including Yaroslav Dronov, known as Shaman.

Pirlo’s involvement has reignited criticism stemming from his partnership with Fonbet, which he joined as a global ambassador. Ukrainian media condemned this decision, labeling him as a “legendary partner” who compromised his integrity. Social media users echoed these sentiments, accusing Pirlo of aligning with Russian interests.

The backdrop of their visit included a massive Russian assault involving 600 drones and 90 missiles, which resulted in civilian casualties in Ukraine. Ukrainian athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych condemned Pirlo, stating, “It’s sad to see childhood legends turn into moral bankrupts.”

European parliament vice-president Pina Picierno criticized the athletes for their actions, emphasizing that money cannot buy integrity or credibility. In defense, Pirlo claimed their presence was solely for sports and children, highlighting football’s ability to unite.

Materazzi echoed this sentiment, insisting their focus was on celebrating football and fostering joy among young fans. This controversy parallels previous backlash against other Italian sports figures, such as Francesco Totti, for similar appearances in Russia.