If he was broke, he could actually open up a merchandise. Since he was a renowned footballer, then set up an online store there he sells his own originally designed Jerseys. Now he could also ask people to buy his crypto (coin) and use them to pay for the originally signed jersey online. This way, he'll own a business and also give utility to his newly created coin.
But no, they just want to scam people, no effort, no creativity.
Definitely, that would've been a much better way to do it. He already has the network effect to acquire customers and make sufficient revenue from it with good profit margins.