A 46‑year‑old Ronaldinho returns to Italian football with Ravenna

46‑year‑old Ronaldinho is set to end his retirement by signing for Italian Serie C side Ravenna, with a launch event on the Adriatic coast expected to draw 6,000 fans and the former World Cup and Ballon d’Or winner promising to play a few minutes in an official match.

Return to the Pitch

Ronaldinho hung up his boots in 2018 after a brief spell with Fluminense in 2015. The Athletic he has arrived in Italy to resume his career, and he told Flashscore, “I will certainly play a few minutes in an official match, then we’ll see how I feel.”

Ignazio Cipriani, head of luxury hospitality business Mr. C Hotels & Residencies, confirmed that Ronaldinho has joined Ravenna’s ownership group and added, “He has also chosen to make an extraordinary gift to the city and to his new club. He will take to the pitch for Ravenna in an official professional match, with one clear and romantic aim — to try to score the final goal of his career.”

Ravenna’s Ambitions

Ravenna currently compete in Group B of Serie C, the regionalised third tier of the Italian (Italia) football system, and are nicknamed the Giallorossi. Managed by former Inter Milan defender Andrea Mandorlini, they finished third in the table last season and will begin the new campaign away to Reggiana on Monday.

The club was knocked out of the Coppa Italia in the last‑32 earlier this month, and the arrival of a global star is expected to boost marketing and ticket sales, with 6,000 supporters slated to greet Ronaldinho at the Adriatic‑side launch event.

Ronaldinho’s Legacy

The Brazilian icon starred alongside Ronaldo and Rivaldo as Brazil lifted the World Cup in 2002, a fact reported by AFP. He earned 97 caps for Brazil between 1997 and 2013, scoring 33 goals, and collected the Ballon d’Or in 2005 as well as FIFA World Player of the Year in 2004 and 2005.

Ronaldinho is one of only 11 players to have won the Ballon d’Or, the Champions League and the World Cup. His club career includes a five‑year spell at Barcelona where he scored almost 100 goals, two LaLiga titles and the 2006 Champions League, as well as a Serie A title with AC Milan in 2011. He also played for Paris Saint‑Germain, Flamengo, Atletico Mineiro, Queretaro and his hometown club Grêmio.