Ex-Manchester United favourite risks jail time over ₦284 million unpaid child support

Former Manchester United midfielder Anderson faces the possibility of prison time after being ordered by a Brazilian family court to settle a large unpaid child maintenance bill.

The 37-year-old, who won four Premier League titles during his Old Trafford career, has been warned that he could be jailed for 30 days unless he clears the £142,000 (₦284,584,046)debt.

The court decision was issued on September 3 in Anderson’s hometown of Porto Alegre but has only recently come to light.

Reports suggest that unless the former midfielder makes an eleventh-hour payment, he will be placed under a strict “closed regime,” which would see him confined to a cell and closely monitored.

A more lenient “semi-open regime”, which allows inmates to study or perform community work during the day, could apply if overcrowding leaves no space in local jails.

The ruling is tied to unpaid alimony payments dating back to July, amounting to just over one million reais. Anderson, who retired from professional football at the age of 31 after spells with Fiorentina and Internacional, has yet to comment publicly.

Once regarded as one of Brazil’s brightest prospects, Anderson arrived at Manchester United from Porto in 2007 and went on to play more than 180 games, winning the Premier League and Champions League during his stay.

However, his post-playing years have been marred by legal issues. In 2019, he was accused of involvement in a cryptocurrency money laundering scheme worth millions of pounds, though the current status of that investigation remains unclear.

The former midfielder, who claimed to be a father to nine children, has also spoken candidly about his early days in England, revealing he and then-teammate Nani lived with Cristiano Ronaldo during their first year at United.

While his time at Old Trafford is remembered fondly by many supporters, Anderson’s off-pitch troubles continue to overshadow the legacy of a once-promising career.