Weeks after prison release, Ronaldinho now battling coronavirus

Brazil icon Ronaldinho has confirmed he has tested positive for coronavirus to top off a testing year.

It comes just weeks after being released from prison after spending most of the year incarcerated in Paraguay.

The 40-year-old will now continue to be in confinement - though for very different reasons.

After returning to his hometown in Belo Horizonte, a test returned a positive result on coronavirus.

He is asymptomatic but is still quarantining in the Brazilian city.

In a typically buoyant message, he said: "I've been here in BH since yesterday, I came to participate in an event.

"I took the test and tested positive for Covid. I'm fine, asymptomatic, but we'll have to leave the event for later.

"Soon we will be there together. Big hug!"

It comes amid a whirlwind year for the Samba star, who was imprisoned in March in Paraguay.

His legal troubles started when he tried to enter the country illegally with a fake passport along with his brother.

The former Barcelona ace was imprisoned for 32 days.

He then remained under house arrest in Asuncion for five months and was finally released on August 25.

Ronaldinho pleaded guilty to the charges and was finally allowed to leave Paraguay after paying a £152,000 fine.

The Brazilian initially tried to enter the country after being invited to a charity event and to present his autobiography.

He told local authorities that the legal documents in question was given to him as a gift by a Brazilian businessman, who was also arrested.

Part of the plea deal saw that his criminal record was expunged.

The footballing legend could have been handed a maximum of five years in prison.

Ronaldinho enjoyed a fine career as a player, winning La Liga, Serie A, the Champions League and the World Cup, as well as the Ballon d'Or in 2005.