Joe, who signed for Manchester City for a record £19 million in 2008, found himself in trouble with the law over unpaid child support and was found to be £31,500 in debt.
Former Manchester City striker Joe has been arrested for the fourth time for failing to pay child support. Joe, 38, was detained in his native Brazil on Tuesday, with the former striker said to be £31,500 in debt.
Police found Joe, whose real name is João Alves de Assis Silva, attending a barbecue at a food stall in Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro state. The arrest of the father of eight children was in connection with a 2024 proceeding involving unpaid child support, according to the warrant.
The debt listed in the court order was 220,744.57 reais (£31,500) and after police arrested Joe he took him to 16a DP in Barra da Tijuca. Last year, the former Brazil international was detained twice in Campinas and once in Contagem over the same issue.
Ex-girlfriend Maiara Quidelory was quick to comment on reports that Joe was arrested in 2024, but it is unclear whether the debt is related to his son Joan Gabriel. “I chose *** to be the father of my son,” Quiderory said in a video posted to Instagram.
“I can’t get my pension right. He pays it on the right day, but he pays a different amount, so I can’t get it right. The only thing the law says he doesn’t do right. It’s always torture to receive things, and it always seems like I’m wrong.”
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Joe also played for Everton on two loan spells and was previously released after paying the amount demanded by the authorities. The 38-year-old retired from professional football for the second time earlier this year after playing for Itabilito in Brazil’s fourth division.
This was Joe’s 14th different club in his senior career, including three stints at Corinthians. His six years in Europe began with CSKA Moscow, who sold him to City in 2008 for £19 million, a record signing for the Premier League club under former manager Mark Hughes.
Joe spent time at City on loan at Everton and Galatasaray, scoring just six goals in 42 games. He returned to Brazil in 2011 and signed with Internacional.
After joining Atlético Mineiro a year later, Joe rediscovered his form and returned to the national team. He scored two goals and helped his country win the Confederations Cup, and was selected to represent Brazil in the 2014 World Cup.
He made his debut in the second group game, coming on as a substitute in the goalless draw against Mexico. Joe also came on as a substitute when Brazil defeated Chile on penalties in the round of 16.
After that, the host country lost 3-0 to the Netherlands in the third-place match, but he played the full 90 minutes. This was his 20th and last match for Brazil.
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