46-year-old Ronaldinho starts an official game for the first time in 11 years... Aiming for goal number 300

‘Alien’ Ronaldinho (46) returns to the field after 11 years.

According to Reuters, Italian professional soccer Serie C (third division) Ravenna coach Andrea Mandorlini announced at a press conference on the 13th (local time) that Ronaldinho will 'start' in the match against local rival Forli at home two days later.

“He will start, there is no doubt about it,” Mandorlini said. “And then we will decide together how much he will play. He is one of the greatest players in modern football.”

Ronaldinho, a member of Brazil's winning team at the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup and winner of the Ballon d'Or, signed a contract with Ravenna last June and also purchased a stake in the club.

Ravenna announced last month that Ronaldinho would play in the match against Forli.

However, it was unclear whether he would actually hit the field as he had not played in a game since he last played for Fluminense (Brazil) in 2015.

If Ronaldinho scores a goal in his return after 11 years, he will achieve the feat of scoring his 300th goal in professional and international matches. He retired after scoring 266 goals on the professional stage and 33 goals in international matches.

Forli player Simone Ravi said at a press conference that day, "If Ravenna gets a penalty kick, Ronaldinho will take the kicker."

Ronaldinho arrived in Italy on the afternoon of the 13th and will make his debut on the 14th after training only once with his teammates.

Ravenna will receive more spectators by installing a temporary stand at its home stadium, Stadio Bruno Benelli.