Ronaldinho a month in prison, Barça wants to help him

One month already. Ronaldinho, the Brazilian star, Ballon d'or 2005, is still detained in Paraguay for a case of false passports and a possible link in a case of money laundering, like his brother Roberto Assis. Ronaldinho was confiscated his Brazilian passport by the justice of his country following a fine of approximately 2.25 million euros unpaid. The two Brazilians were to travel to Asuncion to promote a book and participate in a charity. His trial has been stopped since the precautionary measures taken in the country in order to stem the Covid-19 pandemic, freezing judicial activity at least until Easter.

In what looks more like a "cell-room" according to local journalist Nico Lithitx, interviewed by France Football , Ronnie had the possibility of receiving visits before the confinement linked to the coronavirus, and can telephone (he is one of the only in the prison to have this privilege). Thus, he would have, according to the Spanish newspaper El Mundo , received a call from his former captain at FC Barcelona, ​​Carles Puyol, with whom he would have spoken at length. Ronnie would also be able to receive and write letters. Each of his actions is scrutinized, and, while the 2002 world champion spends a good part of his days playing sports with his comrades in prison, one of his defeats against two Paraguayan prisoners has even been the subject from an article in the local newspaper ABC.

FC Barcelona ready to make a move

At the same time, in a column in el Mundo Deportivo , Albert Montagut, communication director of FC Barcelona, ​​is moved by the fate of the Brazilian artist, who spent five seasons in Catalonia. Montagut explains what for him looks like a descent into hell. "His life of debauchery and eternal bad company, squandered what must have been a small fortune at the time, which would have enabled him to live up to three lives in excellent conditions," he writes. Montagut then explains that FC Barcelona would have distanced himself from Ronaldinho when he chose to publicly support the candidacy of Jair Bolsonaro, before testifying to the club's desire to help the former player. "If he wants to turn his life around, the club is ready to help him," he explains, regretting that the coronavirus is preventing club representatives from going to visit the Brazilian.

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