Assis (footballer, born 1971)

{{short description|Brazilian footballer and agent of Ronaldinho}}

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Assis

| image =

| full_name = Roberto de Assis Moreira

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1971|01|10|df=yes}}

| birth_place = Porto Alegre, Brazil

| height = 1.71 m

| position = Attacking midfielder

| currentclub =

| youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 =

| years1 = 1988–1992 | caps1 = 50 | goals1 = 9 | clubs1 = Grêmio

| years2 = 1992–1995 | caps2 = 97 | goals2 = 29 | clubs2 = Sion

| years3 = 1995–1996 | caps3 = 5 | goals3 = 0 | clubs3 = Sporting CP

| years4 = 1996 | caps4 = 30 | goals4 = 10 | clubs4 = Vasco

| years5 = 1996 | caps5 = 6 | goals5 = 0 | clubs5 = Fluminense

| years6 = 1996–1997 | caps6 = 8 | goals6 = 0 | clubs6 = Sion

| years7 = 1998 | caps7 = 8 | goals7 = 2 | clubs7 = Sporting CP

| years8 = 1998 | caps8 = 12 | goals8 = 4 | clubs8 = Estrela da Amadora

| years9 = 1999 | caps9 = 28 | goals9 = 9 | clubs9 = Consadole Sapporo

| years10 = 2000 | caps10 = 13 | goals10 = 2 | clubs10 = UAG

| years11 = 2000 | caps11 = 1 | goals11 = 0 | clubs11 = Corinthians

| years12 = 2001–2002 | caps12 = 9 | goals12 = 0 | clubs12 = Montpellier

| nationalyears2 = 1989 | nationalteam2 = Brazil U 20 | nationalcaps2 = 6 | nationalgoals2 = 1

| nationalyears1 = 1987 | nationalteam1 = Brazil U 17 | nationalcaps1 = 3 | nationalgoals1 = 0

}}

Roberto de Assis Moreira (born 10 January 1971), commonly known as Assis, is a Brazilian former footballer who is also the brother, manager, agent and adviser of footballer Ronaldinho. He is also the owner of Porto Alegre Futebol Clube.

Biography

Roberto de Assis Moreira was born 10 January 1971, in Porto Alegre, Brazil.{{Cite web|last=Rogério|first=Micheletti|title=Assis: Ex-meia do Grêmio|url=https://terceirotempo.uol.com.br/que-fim-levou/assis-2258|access-date=27 July 2020|website=Terceiro Tempo}} Assis was born to Miguelina de Assis, a cosmetics saleswoman who later became a nurse, and João Moreira a ship welder and former professional player for Cruzeiro-RS.{{Cite web|title=Ronaldinho|url=https://www.biography.com/athlete/ronaldinho|access-date=27 July 2020|website=Biography|language=en-us}}{{Cite book|last=Soutar|first=Jethro|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/70765921|title=Ronaldinho: football's flamboyant maestro|date=2006|publisher=Robson|isbn=978-1-86105-978-9|location=London|language=en|oclc=70765921}}{{Cite web|last=Filippo Maria|first=Ricci|date=18 July 2008|title=Dieci cose su Ronnie Da Little Italy in poi|url=http://archiviostorico.gazzetta.it/2008/luglio/18/Dieci_cose_Ronnie_Little_Italy_ga_10_080718017.shtml|access-date=27 July 2020|website=archiviostorico.gazzetta.it|language=it}} While growing up his family lived in poverty, residing in a wooden house within a favela of Porto Alegre.{{Cite web|last=Conlon|first=Rob|date=3 July 2020|title=The triumph and tragedy of Ronaldinho's brother's playing career|url=https://www.planetfootball.com/in-depth/the-triumph-and-tragedy-of-ronaldinhos-brothers-playing-career/|access-date=27 July 2020|website=Planet Football|language=en-US}}

Assis grew up around soccer, with his father not only being a former player, but also working as a game day doorman for Gremio while his uncles played as well.{{Cite web|date=29 March 2012|title=Ronaldinho (Ronaldo de Assis Moreira) - The Entertainer|url=http://futsal-futbol.com/the-legends/ronaldinho-the-entertainer/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927140404/http://futsal-futbol.com/the-legends/ronaldinho-the-entertainer/|archive-date=27 September 2013|access-date=27 July 2020|publisher=futsal-futbol}} Assis was an inspiration for his brother Ronaldinho, nine years his younger, as his talents landed him a position with Gremio's youth team and led to a notable athletic career.{{Cite web|last=Vickery|first=Tim|date=11 November 2015|title=The Dying Dream of Ronaldinho: Brazil's Childlike Genius Who Never Grew Up|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2585178-the-dying-dream-of-ronaldinho-brazils-childlike-genius-who-never-grew-up|access-date=26 July 2020|website=Bleacher Report|language=en}}

Assis brought his family out of the favela with his first contract, having Gremio pay for a new house in a wealthy neighborhood with a swimming pool. His father drowned in the pool in 1989.{{Cite web|last=Seadi|first=Jorge|date=10 January 2011|title=Roberto de Assis Moreira, um tratante ou apenas um bom negociador?|url=https://www.sul21.com.br/noticias/2011/01/roberto-de-assis-moreira-um-tratante-ou-apenas-um-bom-negociador/|access-date=27 July 2020|website=Sul 21|language=pt-BR}} Assis was the one to discover his father's body while returning home to celebrate his eighteenth birthday. After this death, Assis had to act as the head of the household, managing his career and later his brother's as well.

His mother went on to remarry another man who died of a heart attack in 2012.{{Cite web|last=Callum|first=Fox|date=8 October 2012|title=Ronaldinho dedicates victory to stepfather|url=http://www.sambafoot.com/en/news/36728_ronaldinho_dedicates_victory_to_stepfather.html|access-date=27 July 2020|website=www.sambafoot.com}}{{Cite web|date=10 October 2012|title=Ronaldinho notches hat trick as Atletico Mineiro rolls 6-0|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/basketball/nba/10/06/ronaldinho-atletico-hat-trick.ap/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010004324/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/basketball/nba/10/06/ronaldinho-atletico-hat-trick.ap/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 October 2012|access-date=27 July 2020|publisher=Associated Press}}

Football career

At the age of 16 Assis was already showing potential on Gremio's youth team and would gain the attention of Torino, who would try to steal the player in what would be dubbed 'the Assis Kidnap,' ultimately forcing Gremio to act quickly and sign on Assis by offering his family a sign on bonus of a new house with a swimming pool, where his father would drown.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yyy2AAAAIAAJ&q=%22Roberto+de+Assis+Moreira%22+-wikipedia|title=Revista brasileira de ciências sociais|publisher=ANPOCS|year=2008|volume=23|location=University of California|language=pt-BR}}

Assis made a name for himself early on at Gremio, winning three consecutive state titles between 1988 and 1990.{{Cite book|last=Soutar|first=Jethro|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=o-WITw_CggYC&q=Der+Grosse+Bruder&pg=PA13|title=Ronaldinho: der beste Fussballer der Welt|date=2007|publisher=Copress-Sport-Verlag|isbn=978-3-7679-1026-3|language=de}} Despite this success, and interest for him to play on Brazil's national team in 1992, hardship would again find him as Assis suffered a serious knee injury in 1991, sidelining him for 8 months. Gremio would sell Assis to Swiss team FC Sion in 1992 who he would play with until 1995, where he would win his first Swiss Cup in 1995; before being loaned out to several teams, helping Sporting CP win the Portuguese Super Cup in 1995, before returning in 1996. He would stay through the 1997 season, helping his team win another cup and becoming Swiss Champions.

Then he went to stints in Portugal, Japan, Mexico, and returning to Brazil before finishing his athletic career with Montpellier HSC in France.

Manager and agent

Assis's younger brother Ronaldo, now known as Ronaldinho, would emerge as a similarly desired talent at Gremio's youth team. Assis, who had experience in the world of association football as a negotiator and player and had taken on a paternal role for his brother, would act as manager for Ronaldinho throughout his career, until its end.{{Cite news|date=16 January 2018|title=Brazil legend Ronaldinho retires from football, says his brother and agent|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/jan/16/ronaldinho-retires-from-football-brazil-barcelona|access-date=27 July 2020|issn=0261-3077}}

Assis would keep in touch with his brother while he played in Brazil, witnessing Gremio decline numerous offers for Ronaldinho until Assis would negotiate a transfer to Paris Saint-Germain, seen by some as revenge for being sold off to Sion years earlier. His reputation as a negotiator would become infamous as he managed all his brother's affairs and kept pressure on sponsors, with some going so far as to claim that he was controlling his brother's every action.{{Cite web|last=Moreno|first=Juan|date=13 February 2012|title=KARRIEREN : König der Abstauber - DER SPIEGEL 7/2012|url=https://www.spiegel.de/spiegel/print/d-83977222.html|access-date=27 July 2020|website=www.spiegel.de}}

Assis would also be pivotal in the Nike deal which saw his brother join the list of athletes who would be part of the Nike Tiempo shoe line.{{Cite web|date=11 April 2020|title=The Cult of R10 and the Nike Ronaldinho Dois|url=https://boothype.com/2020/04/11/the-cult-of-r10-and-the-nike-ronaldinho-dois/|access-date=27 July 2020|website=BOOTHYPE|language=en-GB}}

= Other Roles =

While Assis agent career was given focus on due to his brother and client, Ronaldinho, he also served the interests of several other players including Rodrigo Gral as president of the Assis Moreira Group.

Assis also owns Brazilian club Porto Alegre, which currently plays the Campeonato Gaúcho.

Personal life

= Relationship with Ronaldinho =

Today, Assis acts as his brother's agent and adviser, and is credited by many, including Ronaldinho himself, as a major influence and guiding force for his brother. Assis has been described as an idol to his younger brother by some onlookers.{{Cite book|last=Wandersman|first=Aldo|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yVTTBAAAQBAJ&dq=%22Roberto+de+Assis+Moreira%22+-wikipedia&pg=PT10|title=Ronaldinho|date=29 September 2014|publisher=Simon and Schuster|isbn=978-1-4222-9147-4|language=es}} Ronaldinho described his brother in January 2020 as a "brother, father, partner, [and] footballer" while onlookers, like Brazilian footballer Walter Casagrande, claimed Ronaldinho was simply being childish for relying too much on his older brother.

During his acceptance speech after receiving the FIFA World Player of the Year award for a second consecutive year in December 2005, Ronaldinho paid tribute to his brother: "He's my idol. He's been through a lot and has helped me every step of the way. He has encouraged me never to stop trying."

= Son =

Assis has also fathered a son who attempted to make a career in the sport like Assis and his uncle. His son, Diego Assis, joined Flamengo's youth team while Ronaldinho was playing for them and would leave alongside his uncle.{{Cite web|last=Vooght|first=Luke|date=24 February 2012|title=Flamengo sign Ronaldinho's nephew Diego Assis|url=http://www.sambafoot.com/en/news/28693_flamengo_sign_ronaldinho_s_nephew_diego_assis.html|access-date=27 July 2020|website=www.sambafoot.com}}{{Cite web|last=Dantas|first=Diogo|date=24 February 2012|title=Diego Assis, sobrinho de Ronaldinho, conhece Ninho do Urubu e Vagner Love|url=https://extra.globo.com/esporte/flamengo/diego-assis-sobrinho-de-ronaldinho-conhece-ninho-do-urubu-vagner-love-4056216.html|access-date=24 July 2020|website=Extra Online|language=pt-BR}}{{Cite web|last=Souza|first=Richard|date=31 May 2012|title=Abandono em família: R10 vai à Justiça, e sobrinho falta a treino|url=http://globoesporte.globo.com/futebol/times/flamengo/noticia/2012/05/abandono-em-familia-r10-vai-justica-e-sobrinho-falta-treino.html|access-date=24 July 2020|website=globoesporte.com}} Assis's son would go on to join Cruzeiro-RS for a short period in 2014 like Assis's father had previously done.{{citation needed|date=April 2025}}

= Legal troubles =

Assis began having legal troubles in 2003 when he was arrested and sentenced to 5 years and 5 months under a 'semi-open regime' for money laundering.{{Cite web|date=17 April 2012|title=Irmão de Ronaldinho, Assis Moreira é condenado a cinco anos de prisão|url=http://globoesporte.globo.com/rs/noticia/2012/04/irmao-de-ronaldinho-assis-moreira-e-condenado-cinco-anos-de-prisao.html|access-date=24 July 2020|website=globoesporte.com}}

He would later be fined roughly 1.5 million dollars, alongside his brother, for building a fishing platform along the Guaíba River in a 'heritage-protected' zone.{{Cite web|date=13 September 2019|editor-last=Liu|title=Brazilian judge lifts Ronaldinho travel ban - Xinhua {{!}} English.news.cn|url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-09/13/c_138388322.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190913052522/http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-09/13/c_138388322.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 September 2019|access-date=26 July 2020|website=www.xinhuanet.com}} They would ultimately lose their passports for not paying the fine in full.{{Cite web|date=6 March 2020|title=Ronaldinho, Brother Not To Face Prosecution For Fake Passports|url=https://sports.ndtv.com/football/ronaldinho-brother-not-to-face-prosecution-for-fake-passports-2190977|access-date=26 July 2020|website=NDTVSports.com|publisher=Agence France-Presse|language=en}}

In March 2020 he was questioned by police in Paraguay, along with his brother and Brazilian businessman Wilmondes Sousa Lira, after the two were alleged to have used fake passports to enter the country while coming for a charity event and book promotion.{{Cite web|date=5 March 2020|title='Gosto de roupas de grife, perfumes caros, gastronomia exótica e carros de luxo': quem é a 'misteriosa' mulher que levou Ronaldinho ao Paraguai|url=https://www.espn.com.br/futebol/artigo/_/id/6725582/dalia-lopez-quem-e-a-empresaria-que-levou-ronaldinho-ao-paraguai|access-date=26 July 2020|website=ESPN.com|language=pt}}{{Cite news|date=5 March 2020|title=Ronaldinho held over fake passport claims|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-51750802|access-date=26 July 2020}}{{Cite web|date=5 March 2020|title=Ronaldinho sotto custodia, in Paraguay col passaporto falso|url=https://www.repubblica.it/sport/calcio/esteri/2020/03/05/news/ronaldinho_sotto_custodia_in_paraguay_col_passaporto_falso-250304114/|access-date=26 July 2020|website=la Repubblica|language=it}} The brothers would go on to be jailed in Asunción although the fake passport charges would be dropped.{{Cite web|last=Savarese|first=Mauricio|date=9 March 2020|title=Jailed Ronaldinho facing multiple issues off the pitch|url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/mar/9/jailed-ronaldinho-facing-multiple-issues-off-the-p/|access-date=26 July 2020|website=The Washington Times|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|date=12 July 2020|editor-last=Huxia|title=Ronaldinho loses appeal for release from house arrest - Xinhua {{!}} English.news.cn|url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-07/12/c_139206372.htm|access-date=26 July 2020|website=www.xinhuanet.com|archive-date=23 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200723204912/http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-07/12/c_139206372.htm|url-status=dead}} The investigation evolve into allegations of the brothers being tied to a money laundering scheme connected to entrepreneur Dalia Lopez, who allegedly gave them the fake passports with help from businessman Wilmondes Sousa Lira, who had been traveling with the two brothers.{{Cite web|last=Sanderson|first=Tom|date=14 March 2020|title=Ronaldinho's Prison Team Win Futsal Tournament And Suckling Pig|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/tomsanderson/2020/03/14/ronaldinhos-prison-team-win-futsal-tournament-and-suckling-pig/|access-date=26 July 2020|website=Forbes|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=17 March 2020|title=Ronaldinho, si aggrava la posizione: l'ex Pallone d'Oro ora è accusato di riciclaggio|url=https://www.repubblica.it/sport/calcio/esteri/2020/03/17/news/ronaldinho_si_aggrava_la_posizione_l_ex_pallone_d_oro_ora_e_accusato_di_riciclaggio-251524436/|access-date=26 July 2020|website=la Repubblica|language=it}}{{Cite web|date=7 March 2020|title=Paraguay, nuovo arresto per Ronaldinho. La stampa locale: ipotesi riciclaggio|url=https://www.repubblica.it/sport/calcio/esteri/2020/03/07/news/passaporti_falsi_il_brasiliano_ronaldinho_e_suo_fratello_arrestati_in_paraguay-250496080/|access-date=26 July 2020|website=la Repubblica|language=it}} They would be moved from jail to being placed under house arrest in a hotel, although their appeal to end house arrest would be denied due to them being a flight risk.{{Cite web|last=IANS|date=12 July 2020|title=Ronaldinho Loses Appeal For Release From House Arrest|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/sports-news-ronaldinho-loses-appeal-for-release-from-house-arrest/356533|access-date=26 July 2020|website=outlookindia.com/}} They would eventually be released with a $110,000 fine for Assis and $90,000 fine for Ronaldinho after spending 5 months in custody.{{Cite web|date=26 August 2020|title=Paraguayan judge releases Ronaldinho after five months - Taipei Times|url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/sport/archives/2020/08/26/2003742303|access-date=3 September 2020|website=www.taipeitimes.com}}{{Cite news|date=25 August 2020|title=Ronaldinho wari ufungishijwe ijisho muri Paraguay yarekuwe|language=rw|work=BBC News Gahuza|url=https://www.bbc.com/gahuza/amakuru-53902637|access-date=3 September 2020}}

Career statistics

rowspan="2"\|Club !rowspan="2"\|Season !colspan="3"\|League !colspan="2"\|National cup{{efn\|Includes Emperor's Cup.}} !colspan="2"\|League cup{{efn\|Includes J.League Cup.}} !colspan="2"\|Total
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" \|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Consadole Sapporo \|1999 \|J2 League \|29	8	2	1	2	0	33	9
colspan="3"\|Total !29	8	2	1	2	0	33	9

Honors

Grêmio
Campeonato Gaúcho: 1988, 1989, 1990
Copa do Brasil: 1989
Sion
Swiss Super League: 1997
Swiss Cup: 1995, 1997
Sporting CP
Portuguese Super Cup 1995{{cite web|url=https://www.fpf.pt/Portals/0/Documentos/Noticias/Competi%C3%A7%C3%B5es/PressKit_Superta%C3%A7a2013_site.pdf|title=Histórico da Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira|trans-title=Supercup Cândido de Oliveira all-time record|publisher=Portuguese Football Federation|language=pt|page=10|date=11 August 2012|access-date=16 April 2024}}