Ronaldinho Returns to Professional Football with Ravenna FC
Forty-six-year-old Brazilian Ronaldinho will play his first professional football match in eleven years on November 15, stepping onto the pitch for Ravenna FC in Italy’s third tier against Forli.
The Return After Eleven Years Away
The Ballon d’Or winner last played professional football in 2015 for Fluminense. The 46-year-old forward signed his contract with the Italian third-division club in June and received a formal presentation to fans on the beach in Marina di Ravenna in August. The upcoming fixture marks a definitive end to more than a decade away from competitive league play.
Before committing to Ravenna, Ronaldinho appeared in a September exhibition match on the Antona Malatinského Stadium pitch in Trnava, facing a squad of former Slovak players alongside other Brazilian greats. Ravenna president Ignazio Cipriani stated publicly that his primary ambition is for Ronaldinho to score the final goal of his career wearing the club’s colors. Ronaldinho will play on Benelli and open a new chapter in a story that never ceases to surprise, according to the club statement.
Ravenna Confirms Signing to Attract International Attention
Ravenna issued an official statement highlighting the significance of the signing for the club and the wider sport. “The vision of President Cipriani, which has captured the imagination of fans and sparked discussion far beyond Italy’s borders, now has a concrete date,” the club announced. The announcement has driven substantial international attention toward the regional Italian side.
The club also stated: Entire football world thought it was too good to be true. Now, however, we can officially confirm the big return, the return of the magic, the smile, and the talent that won over generations of fans, no matter who they supported.
Ravenna further added: There are footballers we remember for what they won, and others also for how they made people feel.
Ronaldinho brings a decorated resume to the third division, having claimed the World Cup with Brazil in 2002 and the Champions League title with Barcelona during the 2005-2006 campaign. He also secured the Ballon d’Or in 2005. Italian supporters are already familiar with his talents from his stint with AC Milan between 2008 and 2011.
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