Ravenna, Italy — Football's capacity for spectacle rarely fades, and this week the sport delivered one of its most improbable chapters yet: Ronaldinho, the 46-year-old Brazilian icon and former Ballon d'Or winner, has officially signed with Serie C club Ravenna, becoming both a shareholder and a registered player at the Italian third-tier outfit.
When news of the deal broke late on the evening of 19 June, many dismissed it as a prank. Ronaldinho had not played a competitive match since turning out for Fluminense back in 2015, and the notion of a player of his stature lacing up boots in Italy's third division seemed far-fetched, especially with the football world's attention fixed on the World Cup. But the skepticism evaporated on Thursday morning when the Brazilian, dressed casually in a floral shirt, shorts and his trademark flat cap, stepped off a private jet at Forlì airport after flying in from Milan. He proceeded straight to a medical examination, just as any newly signed footballer would.
Ravenna's president, Ignazio Cipriani — a member of the family behind the famous Harry's Bar brand — confirmed that Ronaldinho is joining the club not merely as a marketing figurehead but as an actual partner in the organization, while also holding out the possibility that he could feature on the pitch this season. At a press conference held at the Monaldina residence, historically tied to the Gardini-Ferruzzi family from which Cipriani descends, the Brazilian explained what lured him to the small Romagna city.
"Friendship and passion are the keys that brought me back here," Ronaldinho said, reflecting on his motivations. He also revisited his earlier career in Italian football, recalling his time at Milan: "The Milan derby is the most beautiful memory of my previous Italian experience."
Asked about his ambitions with Ravenna, he kept his answer simple: "To help, to excite the other players, and to have a spectacular season. To win, if possible." On the prospect of actually stepping onto the field, he added a note of caution: "If a goal comes, my experience in Ravenna will become even more beautiful, but whether I will actually play will be decided by the president and the coach."
Cipriani echoed the sentiment that friendship and passion sealed the agreement, and stressed that the club's motivations went beyond global exposure. "It's not just about marketing, it's not just international visibility," he said. "It is the chance to create a new enthusiasm around the club and the yellow-and-red jersey."
Veteran football executive Ariedo Braida, who worked with Ronaldinho during his time at both Barcelona and Milan, was also present and offered his own tribute to the signing, calling it a moment when "the magic of football" had returned to Ravenna. Braida additionally recalled a 2016 comment from Kevin-Prince Boateng ranking Ronaldinho above the likes of Pelé, Maradona, Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
The unveiling culminated in a beachside celebration at Marina di Ravenna, where the club's full squad was presented to supporters. Head coach Andrea Mandorlini handed Ronaldinho the No. 10 shirt, fueling hopes among fans that they might eventually see him wear it in competitive action. He will not, however, be involved in Ravenna's Serie C season opener away at Reggio Emilia on Monday.
The impact of his arrival has already been felt commercially, with more than 2,700 season tickets sold on the back of what has been dubbed the "Ronaldinho effect." Cipriani has made no secret of his ambition to push the club toward Serie B and beyond.
As he greeted the crowd gathered on the beach, Ronaldinho offered a simple message of gratitude: "Thank you very much." For a club and a city unaccustomed to global attention, his arrival has already achieved what many thought impossible — turning a small Serie C side into a worldwide talking point.
Based on reporting from The Guardian.