Ronaldinho a hit, even in Paraguayan prison
Out on bail, ex-Brazil star opens up on jail life as his lawyer blasts detention over fake passports
Sign up now: Get the biggest sports news in your inbox
Retired Brazil football star Ronaldinho arriving at the Palmaroga Hotel in Asuncion, where he and his brother are under house arrest for using false Paraguayan passports to enter the country. He praised fellow inmates and officials for making his stay in prison easier, saying he played football, took photos and signed autographs.
PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
ASUNCION • After leaving prison in Paraguay earlier this month, retired Brazil international Ronaldinho Gaucho has finally broken his silence and said he was shocked to discover that the Paraguayan passports delivered to his home were false and illegal.
The two-time Fifa World Player of the Year was arrested on March 6 along with his older brother and business manager Roberto Assis after they tried to enter Paraguay with the fake documents.
They were held in jail for 32 days before being released on April 7 after coughing up US$1.6 million (S$2.3 million) in bail.
Speaking from the Palmaroga Hotel in the historic centre of the Paraguayan capital, where they are both now staying, Ronaldinho said he and his brother have worked closely with the authorities to resolve their problem.
"We were totally surprised to find out the documents were not legal," he said in an interview with Asuncion newspaper ABC - his first public statement since his arrest.
"Our intention ever since has been to collaborate with judicial authorities to clear up the facts and we have been doing that since the beginning. From then until today, we have explained everything and done everything officials have asked of us."
The former Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan striker, who was pictured playing football while in prison on the outskirts of Asuncion, praised fellow inmates and officials for making his stay behind bars easier.
"It was a real blow, I never imagined that I would go through something like this," said the 2002 World Cup winner. "All my life I have tried to be as professional as possible and bring joy to people with my football.
"Everyone I had the opportunity to get to know in prison welcomed me: the part of my life that was playing football, signing autographs, taking photos, there was no reason not to keep doing that, especially with people who were going through a difficult time like myself.
"We hope that (the Paraguayan justice system) can use and confirm all that we have given them about our position and that we can get out of this situation as soon as possible."
The brothers' lawyer has called their detention "arbitrary, abusive and illegal".
-
$2.3m
In bail posted for Ronaldinho and his brother to the Paraguay authorities.
Although he last played professionally in 2015, Ronaldinho is still hugely popular with global football fans and advertisers and was invited to Paraguay by a local casino owner. However, as Brazilians do not need a passport to enter Paraguay, it remains unclear why he had the fake documents in his possession.
He said he was originally scheduled to be back in Brazil on March 7 for his son's birthday.
"The first thing I would do once I leave Paraguay is to go and give my mother a hug and then digest what this situation has generated," said Ronaldinho, who turned 40 in jail and celebrated with a barbecue party. He and his brother face up to five years in prison if found guilty.
For now, they are reportedly staying in separate US$350-a-night suites at the luxurious four-star Palmaroga Hotel. The presidential suite occupied by Ronaldinho has its own balcony, a 55-inch smart TV, a whirlpool bath and a kitchenette, reported the Daily Mail.
REUTERS, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
