A new documentary released this Thursday brings back into focus the life of one of the most spectacular footballers in the history of the sport. It is about Ronaldinho, showcasing not only his successes on the field but also his dramatic falls outside of it.
The former star of Brazil and Barcelona, winner of the 2002 World Cup and the 2005 Ballon d'Or, has lived a life marked by extreme luxury, financial crises, and even imprisonment in Paraguay. At the peak of his career, Ronaldinho became one of the highest-paid figures in world football. According to reports, in 2006 he became the highest-paid player in the world, surpassing even David Beckham.
"France Football reported that Ronaldinho earned over 18 million euros per year from salary and sponsorships," the documentary states. He had lucrative contracts with major brands like Nike, Pepsi, and Coca-Cola. However, life did not treat him kindly, and his financial situation has been unstable.
In 2018, it was reported that he had only 6 euros in his bank accounts due to debts and legal issues. Later, in 2019, Brazilian authorities seized 57 of his properties due to tax obligations. Meanwhile, at present, his current wealth is estimated at more than 72 million euros. The money primarily comes from sponsorships and media activities.
One of the most turbulent moments of Ronaldinho's life occurred in March 2020, when the former footballer and his brother were arrested in Paraguay after entering the country with falsified documents. "I never imagined I would experience such a situation," he said during his detention, adding that he had always sought "to bring joy to people with his football."
Initially held for 32 days in prison, he was later transferred to a hotel in Asunción while the legal proceedings continued. He even celebrated his 40th birthday in detention. It is reported that during his time in prison, Ronaldinho became very popular among the inmates and participated in a futsal football tournament, where his team won the final 11-2. After his release, he and his brother were fined a total of approximately 170,000 euros.