Prison Warden Opens Up On Barca Legend Ronaldinho's ‘Comfortable’ Stay In Paraguayan Jail

KEY POINTS

Ronaldinho was arrested for using a fake Paraguayan passport
He visited Paraguay on the invitation of a local casino owner
He last played professional soccer in 2015

Soccer legend Ronaldinho, who was recently arrested along with his brother for using a fake Paraguayan passport, is reportedly settling in quickly in jail, the prison warden Blas Vera said Monday.

Ronaldinho and his brother are expected to present their case to a judge Tuesday. Their lawyer Sergio Queiroz is hopeful of transferring the pair from jail to a house arrest while the investigation is still underway.

“In broad terms, he is doing very well. See, he is in good spirits, just like you see him on television, always smiling,” Vera told Reuters.

The prison warden went on to add that the Brazilian and FC Barcelona icon was befriended by a group of boys and girls during the regular Sunday visiting time.

“There was also a group of boys and girls and he welcomed them, gave them hugs and chatted with them," added Vera, who also revealed that Ronaldinho and his brother have beds, a television and a fan in their cell at the prison, located on the outskirts of the Paraguayan capital, Asuncion.

It was also known that Ronaldinho and his brother have not eaten the food offered by the jail as their lawyers have provided them with regular meals.

The prison is understood to have a total of 195 detainees including politicians and police officers accused of corruption and drug trafficking. The prison warden also has ensured that the more dangerous prisoners were kept in a wing away from Ronaldinho as the prison’s management was working on making the celebrity’s "stay as comfortable as possible.”

Ronaldinho spent his third night behind bars on Sunday after using a fake passport to enter Paraguay AFP / Norberto DUARTE

The soccer star, who was named the tourist ambassador last year by Brazil’s far-right government, visited Paraguay on the invitation of a local casino owner. Even though he last played professional soccer in 2015, he is still very popular among global fans and advertisers.

The legendary forward won the FIFA World Cup with Brazil in 2002 and the UEFA Champions League with FC Barcelona in 2006. He was also named FIFA world player of the year in 2004 and 2005.

Soccer