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Ronaldinho held by police in Paraguay over 'fake passport'

Officials went to the ex-footballer's hotel where a search is聽said to have found the documents in question.

Pic: Fiscalia Paraguay
Image: Ronaldinho is said to have entered Paraguay with this fake document. Pic: Fiscalia Paraguay
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Former Brazilian footballer Ronaldinho and his brother are being investigated by police in Paraguay for allegedly entering the country with fake passports.

Ronaldinho, who won the FIFA World Cup with Brazil in 2002 and was twice crowned world footballer of the year, arrived in Paraguay on Wednesday for a charity event.

Officials went to his hotel, near the capital city Asuncion, where a search is said to have found the documents in question.

A handout photo made available by the Paraguayan Prosecutor's Office shows former professional soccer player Ronaldinho (L) surrounded by paraguayan authorities as they search his hotel room in Asuncion, Paraguay, 04 March 2020, Paraguay, 04 March 2020. The Paraguayan Prosecutor's Office ordered the arrest of Ronaldinho for alleged possession of altered passports, hours after the Brazilian former player entered Paraguay. Ronaldinho was allowed to remain in his hotel under custody.

4 Mar 2020
Image: Ronaldinho was pictured surrounded by Paraguayan authorities as they searched his hotel room. Pic: Paraguayan Prosecutor's Office

ESPN reports the 39-year-old and his brother were allowed to stay at the hotel but remain under investigation and must report to the prosecutor's office on Thursday.

"I respect his sporting popularity but the law must also be respected. No matter who you are, the law still applies," minister Euclides Acevedo told local media.

A third man is believed to have been arrested.

The two men are reportedly cooperating in the investigation and claim they "were tricked" by the third man.

Ronaldinho's career included time at Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona and Milan.