The former Barcelona footballer and his brother Roberto Assis were arrested in Paraguay. In early March for allegedly using fake documents to enter the country.
Ronaldinho was “shocked” by being arrested in Paraguay
Ronaldinho says he was “shocked” by being arrested and charged with using a fake passport. In his first interview after being released from prison. The former Barcelona footballer and his brother Roberto Assis were arrested in Paraguay in early March for allegedly using fake documents to enter the country. After spending 32 days in prison, judge Gustavo Amarilla decided that the duo could live in a hotel in Asuncion while they awaited trial on their charge. Speaking to the journalists from the Palmaroga Hotel in the capital of Paraguay. A 40-year-old former brazil international said he had come to the country to be at the launch of an online casino. Former Ballon D ‘Or winner Ronaldinho. A member of the Brazilian national team who won the 2002 World Cup. Said the whole situation was hard, and he is working with the police to try to resolve issues.
We cooperate with the justice system
He said: “We were stunned to learn that the documents are not legal. Since then. We intend to cooperate with the justice system to clarify the facts. “From now until today, we explained everything and contributed to everything that asked from us”. Speaking about the moment when he was told that he was going to prison. Ronaldinho said: “It was a hard blow, I never imagined that I would go through such a situation. The former Barcelona star said he had many opportunities to play football in prison and was always stopped for autographs and photographs. Even when he was in maximum security Agrupacion Especializada prison after being arrested at the Resort Yacht and Golf Club Paraguay.
The religion helped him in this hard situation
Ronaldinho said that, despite the arrest and the charges against him, he does not feel wrong about the people of Paraguay and that his religion helped him in this situation. He said: “The warmth, love, and respect of all Paraguayans felt from the first day of my arrival in the country until today, and I am very grateful.” I have my faith. I always pray that everything will go well, and I hope that it will end soon. “According to ABC Color, the interview was conducted face-to-face at the hotel. Despite the coronavirus blockage, with strict hygiene measures in place. Social distancing was practiced with microphones protective caps were put in. So Ronaldinho always wore a face mask, except when answering questions. He said that the first thing he would do as soon as the situation resolved was to see his mother.
He said: “The first thing will be to give a big kiss to my mother. Who has survived these difficult days since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic at her home. Then it will absorb the influence that this situation has generated and move forward with faith and strength”. Ronaldinho’s lawyers previously claimed that their client received a Paraguayan passport as a gift from a local sponsor. He did not know that he was doing something wrong using it. The winner of Ballon d’Or 2005 already saw how the Brazilian authorities seized his Brazilian and Spanish passports in 2019 due to separate legal issues.