In March, Ronaldinho, and his brother Roberto, who is also his agent, flew to their South American neighbour to help promote a book, and also to take part in a charity event for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
However, shortly after their arrival in the county, the pair were arrested on charges of entering Paraguay illegally on fake passports, and subsequently spent a month in jail on the outskirts of the capital Asuncin.
They were then released in April have posted a substantial amount of bail and were confined to house arrest awaiting trial at a luxury hotel in the city.
The initial enquiry was expanded to look into charges of money laundering and criminal activity, and a further 18 people, mainly police officers and immigration officials, have subsequently been arrested in connection with the affair.
On Monday, the case was finally held before a local judge, and sentences pronounced, although a plea-bargaining arrangement with prosecutors meant that the prospect of further jail time was taken off the table.
Ronaldinho was fined US $ 90,000 for social damage caused, but is free to leave the country, the only proviso being that he must inform the authorities there if he changes his place o permanent residence in the next year. The judge made it clear though that his was a conditional not complete exoneration.
His brother was fined US $110,000 and has been given a suspended two-year jail sentence and a criminal record as well. In addition, he has to report to a judge back in Brazil every four months over a two-year period.
In his case, the sentence was more severe because, whilst Ronaldinho was unaware that the passports were false, he had full knowledge of the scheme, and knew that what he was doing was highly illegal.
Neither of them is likely to want to visit Paraguay again for a long time to come.