They played alongside Messi in Barcelona and ended up in prison
Two outstanding soccer players shared the squad with the Argentinean legend, but their lives took them to crime, and finished in prison.
Argentina's legend Lionel Messi has had several stars as his teammates in Barcelona as in the national team of his country. Many of them enjoyed outstanding careers and achieved countless moments of glory, like World Cups and different continental tournaments. But among them, are two that life led them to be in prison.
Set to become one of eastern Europe’s biggest talents of the decade, Turkish playmaker Arda Turan enjoyed a particularly good spell playing for Atletico de Madrid before joining Barcelona for over $40 million at the beginning of 2015-16 season. In September 2019 he received a suspended jail sentence of nearly three years for firing a gun in a hospital after a fight with a singer. He will go to jail if he commits another crime in the next five years.
Turan lived his best years in Atlético de Madrid, becoming a key player in Diego Simeone’s first seasons. His most remembered performances were in the UEFA Champions League finals.
Last year Ronaldinho was arrested in Paraguay for the alleged use of a fake Paraguayan passport. Following his arrival to country’s capital city Asunción, local Police grabbed him next to his brother Roberto. They were released five months later.
Ronaldinho was one of the best players in the world during his professional activity from 1999 to 2015. He won the UEFA Champions League several times, as well as South American’s equal Copa Libertadores.
