Why Was Ronaldinho In Prison And When Was The Brazil Star Released?

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Why was Ronaldinho in prison and when was the Brazil star released?

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AFP via Getty ImagesTom Herbert8 April 2020 COMMENTS

Football fans the world over were shocked to see recent pictures of Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho in a prison in Paraguay.

Since his retirement in 2018, the former Selecao international has struggled to settle into life after sports, being beset by a string of legal troubles which saw him spend his 40th birthday behind bars.

But at the height of his career Ronaldinho represented the best of South American football, with his mazy dribbles, awe-inspiring technique and eye for the spectacular at Barcelona casting him as one of greatest of all time.

And which Three Lions fan can forget the audacious goal he scored against England in the 2002 World Cup?

His fall from grace has been stark, and his old international team-mate Rivaldo perhaps summed it up best when he said: "I am sad about what is happening to my friend and teammate... he does not deserve it."

On Tuesday, the Brazil legend was released from prison after a month inside.

Here is why Ronaldinho was in prison, and when he was released.

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`Why is Ronaldinho in prison?

Ronaldinho, 39, was in prison after he allegedly entered Paraguay with a false passport, alongside his brother Roberto, 49.

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In Pictures | Ronaldinho released from prison | 07/04/2020

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"I see he is in good spirits, just like you see him on television, always smiling.

"Since yesterday he looks very well, he talks to his other inmates, he goes out to the patio."

According to Paraguayan newspaper Hoy, Ronaldinho was convinced to join a prison futsal match while behind bars and played a starring role as a scored five and set up another six goals.

His team won the competition, for which first prize was a 16kg suckling pig.

He initially came to Paraguay to promote his autobiography.

When was he released from prison?

Getty Images

Ronaldinho was released from prison on Tuesday, April 7 after a month behind bars.

The star will remain under house arrest and will live in a hotel in the Paraguayan capital, Asuncion, until he is given the all clear to return to Brazil.

Initially the pair were denied bail and faced six months inside.

However according to news agency EFE, the 2005 Ballon d’Or winner and his brother paid a $1.6million bail for their freedom and will continue to be monitored by local police at their hotel.

When issuing the ruling, Judge Gustavo Amarilla said: "I decided to put them in house arrest because the investigation is now well advanced, differently from the situation one month ago.

The footballing legend spent his 40th birthday behind bars, where he celebrated with a barbecue and cake.

Ex-teammates Ronaldo and Rivaldo both wished him happy birthday, with Ronaldo writing: "May you overcome this difficult stage of your life with the same joy as usual."

And in his post, Rivaldo said: "May God bless you greatly and give you a lot of strength to get through this very difficult time. Praying and always rooting for you."

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