Rio de Janeiro - Brazilian football star Ronaldinho will have to pay $9 350 in monthly child support for a two-year-old son he had in a fleeting affair with a dancer, but could end up paying more than $2-million, according to media reports on Tuesday.
Judge Antonio Duarte in Rio de Janeiro said the amount of child support was temporary and ordered an evaluation of Ronaldinho's financial situation before setting a final figure, Brazilian daily O Estado de Sao Paulo reported, citing a Monday ruling.
Brazilian courts usually give the child 15-40 percent of the father's income, which could be up to $2.4-million per month if Ronaldinho's believed salary of $6-million is confirmed by the court.
When the Brazilian international heard of the existence of the son, Joao, who he had with dancer Janaina Mendes, he spontaneously offered to pay child support, but the daily O Estado said the figure was below the provisional amount established by the magistrate.
Judge Duarte said a new hearing is to be held in December. Ronaldinho, who plays in Barcelona, was voted World Player of the Year on Monday for the second time in a row. He is expected to attend in person or to send a legal representative. - Sapa-dpa