Finally, Ronaldinho Is Released From Paraguay Prison

By Akinwale Kasali

Two-time World Best Footballer, Ronaldinho De Assis, has been released from Asuncion prison, Paraguay, after several weeks of languishing in the South American prison for possessing fake Passport. He has now been placed on house arrest.

The ex-Brazilian international is being investigated, along with his brother, for possession of fake Paraguayan Passports. Both been under a high-security jail in Paraguay.

The former Barcelona Football Club of Spain midfielder is now confined  at the luxury Palmaroga hotel in Asuncion. Ronaldinho and his brother, Roberto de Assis have also been told to pay bail of around £650,000, each, by the Paraguay Court.

The veteran world footballer who dorned the jerseys of top Clubs in Europe has played for AC Milan, Paris-Saint Germain, Barcelona and clubs in his homeland, was jailed on March 6 after entering Paraguay with a false passport.

He told local authorities during a hearing that the document was a gift from a Brazilian businessman, Wilmondes Sousa Liria, who was also jailed.

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.”

Ronaldinho, 40, had his Brazilian passport seized at home due to an investigation into alleged environmental crimes, but the document was returned to him in September.

One month later he played in a friendly in Israel.

If convicted, Ronaldinho could spend up to five years in jail.

Ronaldinho travelled to Paraguay to promote his autobiography.

He was jailed in an improvised penitentiary in the south of Asuncion, which is used for 150 dangerous criminals, including convicts of drug dealing, corruption and rape.

During his stay at the prison, he played football with inmates and took pictures with them that were shared on social media.

Ronaldino was recently voted the second best Barcelona player of all time, behind Diego Maradona, in a poll for the club’s fans.

The versatile star, who could play across the forward line or as an attacking midfielder, played for Barca from 2003 to 2008, when he joined AC Milan, also won the UEFA Champions League trophy with Barcelona and also won the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Japan and South Korea.