Ronaldinho is in trouble. And the authorities are withdrawing his passport
In a dangerous development that Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho is experiencing because of his financial crisis, a southern court has banned the former Barcelona striker from selling 57 of his properties, due to an unpaid "environmental fine" and other debts.
The former best player in the world owes the government 9.5 million riyals (about $2.5 million), an environmental fine after building a sidewalk in a lake-view house in Porto Alegre, according to local newspaper Folha de São Paulo.
The newspaper explained that other parties have taken legal action to recover 7.8 million riyals (about $2 million) in other financial cases, noting that the authorities confiscated Ronaldinho's passport until the judicial disputes are resolved.
The judge in Porto Allegri told Reuters that the case was subject to judicial confidentiality rules, refusing to confirm or deny any details about the newspaper's report.
Ronaldinho's lawyer denied that the player's assets were restricted, and told the newspaper that he could not comment on the details of the case because of confidentiality rules.
The case coincides with negotiations for Ronaldinho's return at the age of 39.
Eighteen months after announcing the final retirement of football, the Times of Malta recently revealed that the management of The Birkirkara Club has opened negotiations to contract the star, who has been crowned the world's best player twice.
Ronaldinho, who was crowned world cup winner in 2002, announced his retirement from football in January 2018, the last team to play in his name was Fluminense in Brazil.