Why Ronaldinho retired? The true story about Barcelona's star

The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star and his brother, Roberto, were convicted in 2015 for the construction of a fishing platform and a structure to dock boats in Lake Guaíba, in Porto Alegre, capital of the state of Rio Grande do Sul. The region is considered an environmental preservation area and the brothers did not have a license when they built the platform, according to a statement from the Rio Grande do Sul Justice.

Having failed to pay the fine, the 38 year old and his brother were taken back to court, so the Prosecutor had to intervene the bank account. To the surprise of many, the balance was only 24.63 Brazilian reais (less than six euros). Ronaldinho arrived in Europe when he signed for Paris Saint-Germain from Gremio.

"There is no other measure than the withholding of passports in the face of non-payment, disobedience and non-compliance with the legal system," argued the Prosecutor. The court in Rio Grande do Sul, the 2005 Ballon d'Or winner's home state, has now ruled that the Barcelona icon must present his passport when he returns to Brazil from his current travels.

Judge Newton Fabrício, the judge in charge of the proceedings, stated that he is faced with "repeatedly omissive" conduct due to the silence of the "accused". The Brazilian Justice highlights that Ronaldinho is a person "of high purchasing power, with conditions to compensate the environmental damages".

Ronaldinho officially retired from soccer earlier this year, and has not played professionally since leaving Fluminense in 2015. He played 97 times for the Brazil National Team, scoring 33 goals, including two the 2002 Japan and Korea World Cup, won by the Canarinha. Since his farewell to soccer, the Brazilian has participated in many exhibition matches, in addition to being present at different important events.

Ronaldinho arrived in Europe when he signed for Paris Saint-Germain from Gremio, and shone especially at Barcelona between 2003 and 2008. As a Culé he won the Spanish League in 2004-05 and 2005-06, and also the Champions League in 2006.