Troubled Brazilian footballer Romario, once considered one of the world's top strikers, has been forced to sell his luxury penthouse apartment here in a bid to fight crippling debts. The 43-year-old Romario, who helped Brazil to World Cup victory in 1994, has seen his life spiral out of control in recent years and is still facing a three and a half year prison sentence and fine of 900,000 dollars for tax evasion.
He is also currently the subject of an investigation into illegal betting and recently was taken to court for unpaid alimony owed to his first wife. Brazilian television reported Wednesday that Romario put his seaside apartment, valued at nearly five million US dollars, up for sale and it was snapped up at auction within 20 minutes for 4.37 million. All profits from the sale were seized by the Brazilian judicial authorities to help pay off Romario's debts.
In mid-July Romario was detained by police in Barra de Tijuca for 22 hours as they probed allegations of unpaid alimony. After a court hearing he agreed to hand over 45,000 dollars to his first wife, the mother of two of his seven children. Subsequently Romario announced his intention to resume playing and join America de Rio de Janeiro, a second division side followed passionately by the player's recently deceased father Edevair. He finished his career at Brazilian side Vasco de Gama in 2008 after notching what he believed was his 1000th career goal.
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