Ronaldinho Set to Make First Competitive Start for Ravenna

According to BBC Sport, Sunday’s third-division Italian fixture between Ravenna and regional adversaries Forli is poised to feature Ronaldinho’s initial competitive start in over ten years.

As reported, the former AC Milan and Barcelona attacking midfielder, aged 46, is prepared to log his inaugural outing for Ravenna following his August arrival at the Serie C outfit. His last competitive appearance came for Brazilian side Fluminense in September 2015.

Friday saw Ravenna boss Andrea Mandorlini announce that Ronaldinho will feature in the starting line-up in a three-man attacking formation.

“He will play from the start, there’s no doubt,” Mandorlini told reporters. “Then together we will decide how long he plays. He is one of the greatest players of the modern era. And we have to get a result. We always play with three forwards. He will be one of the three.” Andrea Mandorlini

The former Ballon d’Or winner initially joined the Italian club as an investor in August. He has stated ambitions of scoring one final goal to take his career tally to 300.

Club owner Ignazio Cipriani spoke about the signing earlier this year.

“His objective is romantic, to try to score his last goal,” Cipriani said. “His involvement is not a token gesture or a marketing stunt to get people talking about us.”

Having touched down in Italy on Friday, the Brazilian will participate in just a single training session alongside his colleagues prior to Sunday’s fixture at the Stadio Bruno Benelli. A temporary stand has been built at the stadium to accommodate the expected crowd.

Supporters hope to catch a glimpse of the World Cup winner in action for potentially the final time.

Ravenna forward Simone Rabbi has also said that Ronaldinho will take any penalties awarded to Ravenna. The team currently sits second in the table after 13 matches.