Ronaldinho Gauchothe Brazilian star who marked an era in clubs like PSG and FC Barcelona, found in matches with football legends a highly profitable way to extend his legacy. With his charismatic smile and technical gestures intact every time he steps on the field, the 2005 Ballon d’Or winner continues to fill stadiums around the world, as demonstrated in his recent participation in an event in the French city of Angers.
In a friendly match that brought together former soccer glories from Brazil and the country hosting the event, Ronaldinho was the center of attention. Accompanied by players like Sonny Anderson and Claude Makélélé, the historic number 10 of the Yellow green dazzled the spectators in the stadium Raymond-Kopa with his technique and a double, making it clear why he remains such an influential figure. The event, organized by the Jogo Dos Famoso company, stood out for its elaborate commercial structure, where sponsors paid between 5,000 and 20,000 euros for advertising space.
However, What was most surprising was the sum that Ronaldinho charged for his participation: 220,000 euros. In comparison, the other players received amounts that ranged between 2,000 and 15,000 euros. According to the report made by the French newspaper The Parisianthe star’s earnings are a true reflection of not only his popularity, but also his ability to attract high-profile sponsors, such as the luxury car brand Lamborghini and brands from its own country and others of Chinese origin.
What should be mentioned is that Ronaldinho’s activity is not limited to the French market. Last August, who was world champion with Brazil in the 2022 Korea-Japan World Cup participated in a meeting with former Portuguese stars and new shows are already planned in Eastern European countries and Cameroon for 2025. His brother and representative, Roberto Assis, negotiates his participation starting at 300,000 euros per eventaccording to sources cited by The Parisian.
This business model was key for the former player to regain his financial stability after being on the verge of bankruptcy in 2018. Despite being retired, Ronaldinho maintains enormous global influence: with nearly 150 million followers on social networks, represents a unique visibility vehicle for brands. This explains why Barcelona included him in their legends matches, where his performance continues to mark his role as a protagonist.. In November, a free kick goal against former Real Madrid players went viral, reaffirming his validity as a soccer icon.
The phenomenon transcends sport. In November 2024, Ronaldinho made an appearance at COP 29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, where his arrival by private jet did not go unnoticed. The crowd that received him highlighted his ability to generate impact, regardless of the setting, whether in China, Israel or the Ivory Coast. The validity of the Brazilian star continues to arouse passions, demonstrating that his legacy goes beyond the playing fields despite going through difficult life situations.
If we talk about critical situations, in 2020 he was detained in Paraguay after entering the country with false documents. His arrest and subsequent release after paying bail of 1.6 million dollars generated a strong media impact. Despite this episode, the Brazilian managed to recover his image and consolidate his business linked to entertainment and sporting events.
