Ronaldinho hoping to rent out home for World Cup

In this July 11, 2013 file photo, Brazil’s Atletico Mineiro’s Ronaldinho celebrates his team’s victory over Argentina’s Newell’s Old Boys at the end of a Copa Libertadores semifinal soccer match in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. The Brazilian soccer midfielder is putting his Rio de Janeiro mansion on the rental market during the last half of the World Cup. The real estate agency handling the property says on its website that the five-bedroom house is available for the first 15 days of July for $15,522 a day. AP

SAO PAULO — Looking for somewhere to stay in Rio de Janeiro during the World Cup? Ronaldinho can help — if you can afford $15,600 a night.

The 34-year-old former Brazil and Barcelona star has joined the ranks of his countrymen who are hoping to cash in on next month’s footballing extravaganza by renting out their homes to foreign visitors.

Former world footballer of the year Ronaldinho took to Twitter to post an Airbnb advert for his seven-bedroom, six-bathroom mansion in the upmarket district of Barra da Tijuca.

“This is for those people who don’t believe I am renting my house,” Ronaldinho commented on his Twitter feed linking to the ad.

The property boasts a swimming pool, extensive gardens, a terrace, a children’s playhouse and a stage for musical performances.

The home is being offered 34,350 reais a day, about $15,600 at current exchange rates.

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