Ronaldinho honored at Rio's Maracana hall of fame

Posted January 08, 2019 6:00 am

The Associated Press

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) - Ronaldinho has joined the hall of fame of Rio de Janeiro's famous Maracana stadium.

The 2002 World Cup champion and 2006 Champions League winner with Barcelona was given the honor on Tuesday.

The 38-year-old star joined Pele, Garrincha, Zico and other Brazilian greats who also have footprints in the stadium's hall of fame.

"This is one of the greatest achievements of my career," an emotional Ronaldinho said at the ceremony.

Ronaldinho played for local giants Flamengo between 2011 and 2012, but did not win any trophies during that spell.

The tribute comes during troubled times for the Brazilian, who had his passport seized by police in November. The decision is related to a $2.5 million debt.

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Rio de Janeiro Gov. Wilson Witzel, right, pretends to clean the shoe of Brazil's former soccer player Ronaldinho Gaucho, after Ronaldinho printed his feet on a plaque for Brazil's Soccer Walk of Fame at Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019. Ronaldinho was twice named FIFA World Player of the Year. (AP Photo/Leo Correa) The Associated Press

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