Ronaldinho closing in on 70 days detention in Paraguay

Brazilian great Ronaldinho's lawyers are hoping former world player of year will be allowed to go home after more than two months of detention in Paraguay over a forged passport. "We're hoping to convince prosecution to allow Ronaldinho and his bror to return to ir country. We can do thing but wait for investigation to end," a defense source told AFP. Former Barcelona, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain star Ronaldinho and his bror, Robert de Assis Moreira, are facing up to five years in jail if convicted.

Ronaldinho closing in on 70 days detention

brors spent more than a month behind bars after y were accused of entering Paraguay in possession of false passports. 2005 Ballon d'Or winner and his bror posted bail of $1.6 million and have been under house arrest at plush Palmaroga Hotel in historic centre of Paraguayan capital Asuncion since April 7. public prosecutor has six months to investigate case, and has ordered arrest of 18 in connection with it.

"re is t one single serious proof that incriminates him," Rogelio Delgado, president of Paraguay's footballers union told AFP.

"Although he has a luxury prison, it's very unfair that he's still being detained," added Delgado, a former Paraguay international.

40-year-old Ronaldinho has been keeping a low profile since being released from behind bars, t least because of coronavirus lockdown measures. "I was completely caught off guard when I found out that se passports were t valid," Ronaldinho told Paraguayan newspaper ABC last month in his only public statement since his release. Ronaldinho, considered one of greatest footballers of all time, was crucial in Brazil's 2002 World Cup win.

He and sibling Robert -- who is also his business manr -- initially encountered problems after arriving in Asuncion from neighboring Brazil on March 4. However, shortly after ir arrival, pair were taken into police custody when investigators raided ir hotel following discovery that ir passports were fake. Ronaldinho, given a rock star's welcome to Asuncion by around 2,000 children and teenrs, said documents had been given to him by sponsors of a charity working with disadvantd children. investigation has since expanded into a case of possible money laundering. 

Im credits: AP