Ronaldinho Reportedly On Verge Of Bankruptcy

Ronaldinho is said to be in major financial trouble.GETTY IMAGES

Former footballer Ronaldinho "is believed to be close to bankruptcy," with claims he has less than €6 ($6.85) in the bank, according to FOOTBALL ITALIA. The Brazilian has been in a "long legal battle with the Brazilian government over land he built on in Porto Alegre." In '15, it was ruled that the developments "were on protected land and had to be demolished," with a fine of €187,000 for environmental damage. According to UOL Esporte, neither Ronaldinho nor his brother "have complied with the ruling, resulting in the seizure of their passports." The fine "has now risen" to around €2M ($2.3M), but Ronaldinho "does not appear to have the money to pay it, despite his huge and ongoing deal with Nike" (FOOTBALL ITALIA, 11/6). In London, Jeorge Bird reported Ronaldinho has spent time in China and Japan "for advertising reasons in recent weeks." Ronaldinho is scheduled to take part in The Game of Champions friendly in Frankfurt on Nov. 17 (DAILY MAIL, 11/5).