Report: Tearful inmates held BBQ for Ronaldinho before prison release

TOPSHOT - Brazilian retired football player Ronaldinho arrives at a hotel in Asuncion where he and his brother will serve house arrest after a judge ordered their release from jail on April 7, 2020. - A judge in Paraguay ordered the release of Ronaldinho and his brother Roberto Assis into house arrest after the siblings spent almost exactly a month in jail awaiting trial on charges of using false passports to enter Paraguay. Lawyers for the men posted bail of $1.6 million.
NORBERTO DUARTE / AFP / Getty

Inmates at the Paraguayan prison that held Ronaldinho for 32 days organized a farewell barbeque after the Brazilian was granted bail, sources told ESPN's Moises Llorens and Sam Marsden.

Fellow prisoners reportedly grew fond of the former Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona star, shedding tears upon his release. Ronaldinho apparently joined in several kickabouts during his time in jail.

Sources told ESPN that Ronaldinho promised to visit the inmates before he returns to Brazil.

He and his brother and business manager, Roberto Assis, were arrested March 6 for possessing falsified Paraguayan passports. They were placed under house arrest at a four-star hotel in the capital of Asuncion after paying a combined $1.6 million in bail and will remain in police custody until the trial begins.

Prosecutors reportedly suspect the fake passports may have links to other illegal activities, including money-laundering.

Remembered as one of the most joyful players of his era, Ronaldinho won the 2002 World Cup with Brazil and the Ballon d'Or in 2005 with Barcelona.

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