Ronaldinho's return is already sparking a frenzy!

Expected against Forlì on 15 November, the Brazilian is attracting attention and boosting sales even before his return

Europe Today at 08:00

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Ronaldinho's return is already sparking a frenzy!

Ronaldinho has not yet played for Ravenna, but his announced return is already generating commercial excitement and strong anticipation ahead of the derby against Forlì.

At 46, Ronaldinho continues to attract crowds. The Brazilian is expected on Sunday, 15 November, at 5:30 p.m. at the Bruno-Benelli Stadium for the Serie C derby between Ravenna and Forlì. The Italian club has announced the date of his first official appearance, 11 years after his last professional match with Fluminense.

Around 1,500 tickets for general sale

Demand is expected to be high for this Italian third-division fixture. According to the local press, around 1,500 tickets should be made available for general sale after priority is given to the club’s approximately 2,800 season-ticket holders.

Ticket sales have not yet opened, but requests are already pouring in. This limited allocation therefore does not correspond to the stadium’s total capacity: it represents the seats that would remain available to the general public after the presale phase reserved for season-ticket holders.

Posters in Milan and a dedicated collection

Ravenna is also making the most of this exposure off the pitch. As early as July, giant posters featuring Ronaldinho had been installed in Milan to promote his shirt. La Gazzetta dello Sport had reported on the campaign, which was accompanied by a sharp increase in kit sales.

The club has also launched a card collection with Panini. Some cards offer the chance to win signed merchandise or a meeting with the champion. The initiative therefore goes beyond the prospect of just a few minutes on the pitch: Ronaldinho, who is also a shareholder, is contributing to the development of the club’s profile.

Eight clubs before this new adventure

Before Ravenna, Ronaldinho represented eight professional clubs. Having come through the ranks at Grêmio, where he made his first-team debut in 1998, he then joined Paris Saint-Germain (2001-2003), FC Barcelona (2003-2008), and then AC Milan (2008-2011).

He continued his career at Flamengo (2011-2012), Atlético Mineiro (2012-2014), Mexican club Querétaro (2014-2015), and then Fluminense in 2015.

The 2005 Ballon d’Or winner and 2002 World Cup champion with Brazil is therefore embarking on a unique chapter. His announced appearance would mark a return to professional competition after years devoted in particular to exhibition matches.

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