They don’t make them like Ronaldinho anymore. The universally-loved Brazilian was as much an entertainer as he was a footballer, putting on a show every time he set foot on the pitch.Ronaldinho’s skills made him an inspiration around the world, and he sits on the throne of players past and present that you just simply couldn’t dislike.That’s what made the former Barcelona forward’s downfall so hard for football fans to witness.In 2020, Ronaldinho and his brother were arrested in Paraguay after entering the country with forged passports.

Ronaldinho's five-month ordeal

He would spent 32 days behind bars in a Paraguayan jail before being ordered to serve house arrest. He would spend four months in a luxury hotel in the capital Asuncion while an investigation was carried out.

Ronaldinho was released in August 2020 after a judge ordered him and his brother to pay a £153,000 fine between them, bringing to an end his five-month ordeal.

Just £5 to his name

Two years prior to his arrest, The Sun quoted reports from Spain that claimed Ronaldinho had just £5 in his bank account and was close to bankruptcy after receiving a heavy fine for illegal construction in Brazil.

It’s clear that Ronaldinho wasn’t in a great place, but since being released from prison he’s managed to turn his life around.

Last year, AS carried a report from El Pais that claimed Ronaldinho had earned more than 5 million Brazilian reals (£702,407) in the four months since he left prison.

How Ronaldinho turned his life around

The World Cup winner quickly got involved in some smart business moves.

He was hired by a company from Minas Gerais to promote Atletico Mineiro’s new stadium. Construction on the new 46,000-capacity arena began in 2020 and it will open next year.

Ronaldinho also set up a music studio in the Brazilian city of Belo Horizonte. He recorded a music video with group Recayd Mob and rapper Djonga which reached one million views in less than a week.

Next up, Ronaldinho continued his ventures in alcohol. He launched his own brand of organic gin named R-ONE, which followed his wine company Vino de Campeones. 

The 42-year-old has also been involved in advertising campaigns for a travel agency and a bookmaker.

He’s also involved in e-Sports. In 2019, Ronaldinho launched his own team, called R10, and they play in FIFA tournaments.

At the start of March 2022, he posted a picture of himself on Instagram posing next to a Rolls-Royce car, decked out in all white attire.

When the retired playmaker released the trailer for his documentary, called ‘Ronaldinho: The Happiest Man in The World’, he wrote: “A difficult stage is coming to an end, thank God. I have no words to thank you for all the care and support that I have received in recent months.”

It’s certainly great to see him back on his feet and smiling again.

His appearance at a legends match between Barcelona and Real Madrid in Israel last year was a particular delight.

We even got to see his trademark celebration.