Former Manchester City record signing Jo has found himself in handcuffs for the fourth time this year following allegations of failing to pay child maintenance contributions. The 38-year-old Brazilian striker, father to eight children, was dramatically detained during a barbecue gathering in Rio de Janeiro on Thursday.
Fourth Arrest Over Unpaid Child Support
The latest incident marks Jo's fourth arrest in 2024 related to outstanding child maintenance payments, with authorities claiming the footballer owes as much as £31,500 from this year alone. This pattern began with previous arrests in the Brazilian cities of Campinas and Contagem earlier this year, all concerning similar financial disputes regarding his children.
One of Jo's former partners, Maira Quiderolly, didn't hold back when discussing the footballer's parenting failures publicly. She described him as a 's*** father' following news of one of his earlier arrests became public, though it remains unclear whether the current case involves their son together, Joao Gabriel.
Ex-Partner's Emotional Social Media Outburst
In a passionate video shared on Instagram, Quiderolly detailed the ongoing struggle to receive consistent support. 'I can't receive the pension correctly,' she explained. 'When he pays on the right day, he pays in different amounts so I can't receive it correctly! It's always torture to get things, and I'm always considering wrong!'
She emphasised that even basic legal requirements weren't being met properly, adding: 'The only thing set by law, he doesn't do correctly!' The emotional mother also touched upon the emotional impact on their child, stating: 'My son is SURE that his father is not present, some are hoping if he will arrive, if he will call, anyway...'
Football Career and Previous Legal Encounters
This isn't the first dramatic arrest for the former footballer this year. Back in May 2024, police intercepted Jo while he was travelling with his team Amazonas for a Serie B match against Ponte Preta. Officers removed him from the team bus and took him to the 10th Police District of Campinas, where he spent the night before securing his release by settling the demanded maintenance contributions.
Jo's professional journey saw him become Manchester City's record signing in 2008 when the club paid £19 million to bring him from CSKA Moscow. However, his time at the Etihad Stadium proved disappointing, leading to loan spells at Everton between 2009 and 2011, followed by another temporary move to Turkish side Galatasaray.
The Brazilian eventually returned to his homeland, representing several clubs including Corinthians, where he had two separate periods. His professional career concluded earlier this year following a brief stint with Itabirito, though his legal troubles continue to make headlines.
When questioned by social media followers about the challenges of single motherhood, Quiderolly offered a poignant perspective: 'Better this way than a bad example of a father next door. How many children suffer more from the little absence than from the nothing!'
