Ronaldinho has lived a life that many will envy. The glitz, the glamour of playing for some of the best footballing teams that the world has ever seen, with a World Cup, a Champions League and a Ballon d'Or to boot.
However, that quickly turned sour once he retired - and the silky Samba star has opened up about the 'worst moment of his life' after being jailed for using a fake passport back in March 2020.
Ronaldinho, who burst onto the European scene at the turn of the century with a move to Paris Saint-Germain, is best remembered for his spell at Barcelona where he won a Champions League title, as well as a Ballon d'Or in 2005 after his best individual campaign to date.
However, he has opened up on the personal issues that have plagued his life ever since hanging up his boots.
Ronaldinho Opens Up on 'Worst Moment of His Life'
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Speaking in a new Netflix documentary, Ronaldinho admitted that being arrested was the worst moment of his life - especially given he'd been on top of the world after winning the Ballon d'Or just 15 years prior.
The Brazil hero said: “Being arrested in Paraguay was the worst moment, without a doubt.
“Why did I have the passport? It was given to me. That person came to my house to hand it over.
“You’re stuck in a situation despite having done nothing wrong. It’s awful.”
Ronaldinho and his brother continued to maintain their innocence, but having become a global icon and almost immediately recognisable to many, it was clear that he wasn't Paraguayan after so many World Cup outings in the famous yellow shirt.
Incredibly, Brazilians don't need a passport to travel to Paraguay, meaning there was no need for the trickster to produce the documents. And after paying £153,000 in damages, it became a costly mistake.
Ronaldinho Claims Lionel Messi Bailed Him Out of Jail
Lionel Messi with Ronaldinho
When Ronaldinho's career at Barcelona began winding down to an end, it essentially paved the way for Lionel Messi to become a superstar at the Camp Nou.
Ronaldinho even assisted the first of Messi's 672 goals for the club all the way back in May 2005.
And, when he was arrested, it was alleged that Messi had posted the bail required for Ronaldinho to be released from jail - coming to a total of £1.3million.
And Ronaldinho even backed those claims, stating:
"When Messi bailed me out of prison, I was in a rough spot, completely broke. I went to visit him to show my gratitude, and he gave me a signed Barcelona shirt, with signatures from him and some of the other players."
Messi has been known for previously warm gestures in the past, but posting that led Ronaldinho to tears.
The duo played alongside each other for four seasons, winning the Champions League and La Liga in 2005-06, before he departed for AC Milan at the age of 28. But that on-field relationship won't have been forgotten by Messi and Barcelona fans will have been privileged to witness their pair playing together before Ronaldinho's eventual exit to Italy.