Former Brazil forward Ronaldinho has been released from prison and placed under house arrest in Paraguay.
The 2005 Ballon d’Or winner had spent time in jail along with his brother after being arrested on 6 March, accused of using fake passports as previously reported by The Sauce.
The pair had previously been denied bail but posted $800,000 each and must now stay in a four-star hotel in Asuncion while awaiting trial.
Both Ronaldinho, 40, and his brother Roberto Assis deny any wrongdoing. Their lawyer has called their imprisonment “arbitrary, abusive and illegal.”
In allowing the pair to leave prison, Judge Gustavo Amarilla said the size of the bail paid was “significant” and would “guarantee they will not flee”.
Ronaldinho had initially visited Paraguay to promote a book and a campaign for underprivileged children.
The former Gremio, Flamengo and Paris Saint-Germain forward last played professionally in 2015 and was the best player in the world at his peak in the early part of this century.
The 39-year-old was named FIFA World Player of the year in 2004 and 2005 and won the World Cup with Brazil in 2002 and the Champions League with Barcelona in 2006.
