Ronaldinho joins Ravenna as shareholder ahead of testimonial match

Brazilian legend Ronaldinho will join Italian third-tier club Ravenna as a shareholder on 23 June in Miami, the club confirmed. The 46-year-old will not feature competitively but is expected to play in one friendly match next month.

Ronaldinho stated: “I can’t wait to join the squad,” though his return will be restricted to a single exhibition game. Ravenna’s vice-chairman Ariedo Braida tempered expectations, saying: “He is 46, so I wish he were still fit enough to play. He was a phenomenon and a fantastic player.”

According to La dello Sport, Ronaldinho will be available from the club’s July training camp. Braida clarified that he will not play for Ravenna in Serie C next season, describing the arrangement as a marketing event.

The move follows a long-standing connection between Ronaldinho and club owner Ignazio Cipriani. Cipriani attended the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris and presented the 2005 winner with a shirt, reinforcing their bond.

Ronaldinho will be linked to Ravenna not as a player but as a shareholder. The testimonial match will allow him to wear his iconic number 10 shirt one final time. The shirt is expected to be highly sought after by fans.

Ronaldinho remains one of football’s most iconic figures, a status evident when he attended Friday’s Brazil vs Haiti World Cup qualifier. He won the 2002 FIFA World Cup with Brazil.

His peak years came at FC Barcelona, where he made 207 appearances. During his time at Camp Nou, he helped the club win two domestic titles and the UEFA Champions League.

Braida added: “Football has always been a source of joy for me, and I want to bring that same spirit to Ravenna.”