Brazil star Ronaldinho investigated in Paraguay over false passport allegations

World Cup winner being remains under custody in hotel with his brother

TOPSHOT - A girl stretches to touch Brazilian ex-football star Ronaldinho Gaucho upon his arrival at Silvio Pettirossi International Airport in Luque, near Asuncion, on March 4, 2020. Ronaldinho arrived in Paraguay to present his latest book "Genio en la Vida" and a health programme for girls and boys.
  / AFP / Norberto DUARTE
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Brazil legend Ronaldinho is under investigation after allegedly being in possession of altered passports.

The 39-year-old Ronaldinho was cited by officials after arriving in Paraguay on Wednesday, according to ESPN Brazil.

The 2002 World Cup winner arrived in the country for a charity event, where officials then came to his hotel suite near the capital of Asuncion and allegedly found the documents.

Ronaldinho and his brother were allowed to stay at the hotel but remain under custody by authorities and must report to the prosecutor's office on Thursday. Another man who accompanied the brothers was arrested.

"[Ronaldinho and his brother] are not being detained, they are still under judicial investigation and they have to testify. Then it will be decided whether they will be arrested or not," Paraguay's interior minister Euclides Acevedo told ESPN Brasil.

Acevedo added that Ronaldinho and his brother are co-operating in the investigation and are claiming they "were tricked" by the man arrested.