Former Brazilian footballer Ronaldinho and his brother are being investigated by police in Paraguay for allegedly entering the country with fake passports.

Ronaldinho, who won the FIFA World Cup with Brazil in 2002 and was twice crowned world footballer of the year, arrived in Paraguay on Wednesday for a charity event.

Officials went to his hotel, near the capital city Asuncion, where a search is said to have found the documents in question.

Image: Ronaldinho was pictured surrounded by Paraguayan authorities as they searched his hotel room. Pic: Paraguayan Prosecutor's Office

ESPN reports the 39-year-old and his brother were allowed to stay at the hotel but remain under investigation and must report to the prosecutor's office on Thursday.

"I respect his sporting popularity but the law must also be respected. No matter who you are, the law still applies," minister Euclides Acevedo told local media.


A third man is believed to have been arrested.

The two men are reportedly cooperating in the investigation and claim they "were tricked" by the third man.

Ronaldinho's career included time at Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona and Milan.