A Mexican judge on Friday ordered former national footballer Omar Bravo to stand trial on charges of sexually abusing a teenage girl.

Bravo, 45, who represented Mexico in the 2006 World Cup and the 2004 Olympics, was arrested last Sunday in Zapopan, a suburb of Guadalajara, one of Mexico’s largest cities.

According to prosecutors, Bravo allegedly abused the 17-year-old daughter of his girlfriend over a period of six years. If found guilty, the former striker could face a prison sentence ranging from five to 10 years.

Due to the seriousness of the allegations, the judge ruled that Bravo must remain in custody for at least six months while the trial proceeds. In Mexico, pretrial detention is imposed when the accused is deemed a potential threat to society or to the judicial process.

“For crimes of this nature, the law mandates such preventive measures. Six months is an estimated period, but if the trial extends, so will his detention,” said the victim’s lawyer, Juan Soltero.

The prosecution presented 42 screenshots of messages allegedly exchanged between Bravo and the girl, along with a video recording.

Bravo, who retired in 2018, played 66 matches for the Mexican national team and scored 15 goals. He remains Chivas’ all-time top scorer, one of Mexico’s most popular football clubs.