Ravenna builds special stand for Ronaldinho's return to football Everything is ready for his comeback

Everything is ready in Ravenna for the arrival of Ronaldinho. At 46, the Brazilian legend is set to return to the pitch for an official Serie C match, his first since September 2015, when he was playing for Fluminense. The appointment is set for Sunday, when Ravenna take on Forlì in the local derby at the Bruno Benelli Stadium. The ground has been given a makeover for the occasion, with a stand dedicated to the Brazilian star.

A special stand for Ronaldinho's return

With demand for tickets running particularly high, Ravenna have built a temporary stand on the eastern side of the pitch. The tubular structure is divided into three sections, with 1,800 seats featuring red seating throughout, and has been named the Tribuna R10. The central section also features temporary marquee structures that will serve as hospitality areas.

Tickets for these sections are still available, priced at €90 for the stand and €150 for the hospitality area. With the additional seating in place, the stadium is expected to accommodate around 7,000 spectators. It remains unclear whether the temporary structure will be dismantled after the match or kept in place for the remainder of the season.

Ronaldinho at Ravenna: a marketing masterstroke

Ronaldinho's signing for Ravenna was announced in August. It was a clever marketing and communications move through which the Cipriani family, owners of the club, sought to put the spotlight on the team. A special shirt was also unveiled for the occasion: white with gold detailing, featuring the return of the R10 logo, the Brazilian's personal brand developed in collaboration with Nike. A special version of the shirt, designed by Slawn, was also released as part of a capsule collection dedicated to the club.