Almost two months after the postponement of his visit planned for November, Brazilian soccer legend Ronaldinho will be in Quebec this weekend, to meet business people and delight 3,000 young fans. “The plane tickets are purchased,” rejoiced Denis Perreault, of the Performance Group, on Tuesday, who confirmed his presence “beyond any doubt.”
• Also read: Ronaldinho’s visit to Quebec is postponed
• Also read: Ronaldinho’s visit: “It’s extremely important for him to be in Quebec,” admits his agent
The former glory of the Seleçao, FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, in particular, was initially scheduled to travel to Quebec on November 28. However, a scheduling conflict forced him to delay his trip.
The date therefore had to be changed, but the commitments of the 44-year-old former player have not really changed. Ronaldinho will first be present at Sainte-Foy Toyota in the evening on Saturday, where he will give a conference in front of business people, before traveling to Charlesbourg, where he will take part in the opening of the Kimono restaurant, in the former Les Frères Toc.
Then, the next day, 2,500 to 3,000 young people will be able to see the Brazilian in the basketball stadium at Laval University, where he will be photographed with some of them, around 12:30 p.m. Note that all the followers present have already been selected.
Other activities are on the program starting at 10:30 a.m., including a friendly soccer match between the Rouge et Or men’s and women’s teams.
And will Ronaldinho, who will be there around noon, also touch the ball? “We don’t know yet,” replied Mr. Perreault. But I could challenge him!”
“The real Ronaldinho?”
Over the years, the Performance Group has already allowed business people to meet several big names in sport, including Georges St-Pierre, Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, Marcel Dionne and Raymond Bourque.
The founder of the business networking group, which organizes the non-profit event, is however well aware that the arrival of Ronaldinho touches the hearts of several young football fans.
In fact, Denis Perreault became fully aware of it when he presented the idea of his presence in Quebec to his boys.
“They started shaking. They asked me: “The real Ronaldinho?” said Mr. Perreault with a smile on his lips on Tuesday.
During the activity which will take place in the evening on Saturday, various Ronaldinho items will be put up for auction.
The benefits of this fundraising will go to the Kiwanis Club of Quebec, which helps disadvantaged young people in the region, as well as to two athletes from the city, the runner Caroline Pomerleau and Steve O’Brien, who recently crossed the Canada to fight against school dropouts.
