Brazilian football icon Ronaldinho has announced a surprise return to the game, joining Italian Serie C club Ravenna at the age of 46, a decade after he last played competitively. The former World Cup winner was presented to supporters during a special event billed as "Ronaldinho Day," which drew large crowds to a local beach despite heavy rain.
The two-time Ballon d'Or winner will not simply be a figurehead at the club — he is also becoming a shareholder in Ravenna, which currently competes in Italy's third division. Speaking at his unveiling, Ronaldinho expressed excitement about the move and did not rule out the possibility of stepping onto the pitch again.
"I'm very happy to be here with friends, we have a team that can do something good," Ronaldinho told the assembled fans. When asked whether supporters could expect to see him actually play, he left the decision in the hands of the club's coaching staff. "Will you see me play? I don't know, only the coach knows that," he said. "Coming back to Italy is wonderful, I'm here to help my teammates win."
Despite being retired since 2015, the Brazilian insisted he remains in playing condition and hinted at a personal milestone he would love to reach. "As you can see, I'm in shape, I feel good," he added. "If I could score my 300th goal, that would be even more beautiful."
Ronaldinho's storied career included spells at some of Europe's biggest clubs, including Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona and AC Milan, where he established himself as one of the most gifted and entertaining players of his generation. His achievements on the international stage were equally significant, highlighted by lifting the World Cup with Brazil in 2002 — a tournament in which he scored a memorable winner against England in the quarter-finals. He capped his individual accolades by winning the Ballon d'Or in 2005. His playing days officially concluded in September 2015 during a spell with Brazilian side Fluminense.
The plan to bring Ronaldinho to Ravenna was first revealed back in June by club owner Ignazio Cipriani, an Italian-American businessman who took charge of the Serie C outfit in 2024. Cipriani made the announcement while attending the World Cup in Miami and has continued to frame the move as a heartfelt gesture rather than a commercial exercise.
"His objective is romantic, to try to score his last goal," Cipriani said on Thursday, dismissing suggestions that the signing was purely about publicity. "His involvement is not a token gesture or a marketing stunt to get people talking about us."
Cipriani confirmed that Ronaldinho will not be involved when Ravenna open their Serie C campaign against Reggiana on Monday, suggesting that any potential on-field appearance remains some way off, if it happens at all.
Ravenna are aiming to build on a solid campaign last season, having finished third in Group B of the third-tier standings. The club's broader ambition is to climb back into Serie B, a division they have not featured in since 2008. Whether Ronaldinho's presence — as both shareholder and inspirational figure — can help accelerate that push remains to be seen, but his arrival has already generated significant excitement among the club's fanbase.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.