Ronaldinho is set to return to professional football with Italian third-tier club Ravenna, 11 years after his last competitive appearance. The 46-year-old Brazilian has arrived in Italy ahead of his presentation, with around 6,000 fans expected at a beach event on the Adriatic coast. When Ravenna first announced his involvement in June, much of the focus was on his role as a shareholder and the club's plans to use his global profile. There was also uncertainty over whether the former Barcelona and AC Milan star would actually play. That question has now been answered by Ronaldinho himself, while Ravenna's ownership has also revealed a specific ambition for his return.
Ronaldinho says he will play for Ravenna
Speaking to Flashscore, Ronaldinho confirmed that he intends to make an appearance in an official professional match. “I will certainly play a few minutes in an official match, then we’ll see how I feel.” The timing of his appearance has not been confirmed, and Ronaldinho has not taken part in Ravenna’s pre-season. It remains unclear when, or even whether, he will feature in the team’s Serie C campaign, with his fitness and match readiness still to be assessed. He is therefore not expected to simply walk into the starting XI for Monday’s opener against Reggiana. His commitment to making at least one official appearance, however, is now clear.
The plan is for Ronaldinho to score the final goal of his career
The prospect of Ronaldinho playing again is closely tied to the purpose Ravenna have given his return. Ignazio Cipriani, who leads the ownership group Ronaldinho is joining, said the Brazilian had chosen to make a special contribution to the club and the city by returning to the pitch. “He has also chosen to make an extraordinary gift to the city and to his new club,” Cipriani said. “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.” Cipriani has also rejected the suggestion that Ronaldinho's involvement is simply a promotional exercise. “This is not window dressing or a marketing stunt,” he said. “Ronaldinho will become a shareholder in Ravenna FC, that is the central point of the operation.”
The club's original announcement in June had focused heavily on Ronaldinho's ownership and marketing role, which led to questions about whether he would actually return to competitive football. Ravenna vice-president Ariedo Braida initially said Ronaldinho would not play in Serie C. “Ronaldinho will do a marketing event with us, but will not play for Ravenna in Serie C next season,” Braida said. “Also, because he is 46, I wish he could still play.” Braida later left the possibility open. “Ronaldinho is a timeless champion. He has signed with Ravenna and, for a club like ours, it's an extraordinary coup. Over the next few days, there will be an event to unveil this extraordinary character. Will he play? We'll see, but it's not ruled out. As I already said, he is a timeless champion,” he said. Ronaldinho has now settled that uncertainty himself.
Ronaldinho's role at Ravenna
Ronaldinho is joining Ravenna's ownership group alongside Ignazio Cipriani, head of luxury hospitality business Mr. C Hotels & Residencies. The club play in Serie C, Italy's third tier, in Group B and are managed by former Inter Milan defender Andrea Mandorlini. Ravenna finished third last season and are due to begin the new Serie C campaign away to Reggiana on Monday. They were also knocked out of the Coppa Italia in the last 32 earlier this month. The club are preparing a large presentation for Ronaldinho on the Adriatic coast, with approximately 6,000 supporters expected to attend.
When did Ronaldinho last play professionally?
Ronaldinho's last competitive match came for Fluminense in 2015, after which he retired from professional football. He has continued to participate in exhibition and legends matches during the years since. His playing career included Grêmio, Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, AC Milan, Flamengo, Atlético Mineiro, Querétaro and Fluminense. For Brazil, he won 97 caps and scored 33 goals, including his role in the country's 2002 World Cup triumph.
His most celebrated club spell came at Barcelona, where he won two La Liga titles and the 2006 Champions League. He was awarded the Ballon d'Or in 2005 and was named FIFA World Player of the Year in 2004 and 2005. He also won Serie A with AC Milan in 2011.
Why Ronaldinho wanted to return
When the move was first announced in June, Ronaldinho made clear that the appeal was not simply about returning to professional football after an 11-year absence. “New colours, same smile,” he said. “I cannot wait to be able to dance on the ball again to write a new story together with Ignazio and the whole Cipriani family. Football has always been a source of joy for me, I want to bring the same spirit to Ravenna.” Now he has confirmed that the new story will include an official match, with Ravenna hoping the final chapter of his playing career can also contain one last Ronaldinho goal.
