Brazil legend Ronaldinho has now reportedly been implicated in a lucrative scam worth millions.
The FC Barcelona icon is no stranger to controversy and the judicial system, having had several run-ins with the law over the course of his fascinating life.
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While the retired playmaker has previously, and most notably, been in trouble with the law when he was detained in a prison in Paraguay in 2020 for allegedly using a fake passport to enter the country, the latest case now involves yet another alleged act of unlawful deception, this time centred around an elaborate money scam.
According to Spanish outlet Sport, the 43-year-old was due to appear in court on Tuesday to give testimony in a case involving a bitcoin scam undertaken by a company called "18kRonaldinho".
However, Ronaldinho failed to make an appearance, without an explanation for his absence, as those involved are tried for fraud, with the president of the commission in charge of the proceedings insisting that if he fails to pitch up for the next seassion on Thursday, he will order police to "transfer him by the use of force".
It is said the scam promised clients daily profits of 2% for those who invested more than $30 (R561) in the bitcoin currency, but this turned out to be false.
The report claims that the civil suit against the company is worth a staggering €56.5 million (R1.1 billion), and Ronaldinho is suspected of having been involved in the money-making scheme.
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His lawyers, though, insist that their famous client is actually another victim of the company, which they allege used the Brazilian's image and name without his consent.
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