Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho has announced a return to football at the age of 46, joining Italian third-tier club Ravenna and targeting the 300th goal...
Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho has announced a return to football at the age of 46, joining Italian third-tier club Ravenna and targeting the 300th goal of his career.
Thousands of supporters gathered at a city beach for an event called “Ronaldinho Day”, despite rainy weather, to welcome the former Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona and AC Milan playmaker.
Ronaldinho, who retired from professional football in 2015, said he was happy to return to Italy and hoped he could contribute to Ravenna’s campaign.
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“I’m very happy to be here with friends, we have a team that can do something good,” he said.
The former Brazil international will also become a shareholder in the Serie C club.
Asked whether supporters would see him playing, Ronaldinho said the decision would depend on the coach.
“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.”
Ronaldinho also said he felt physically ready for the challenge and revealed his personal target.
“As you can see, I’m in shape, I feel good… If I could score my 300th goal, that would be even more beautiful,” he said.
Ronaldinho ended his professional playing career in September 2015 when he made his final official appearance for Brazilian club Fluminense.
During his decorated career, he won the 2002 FIFA World Cup with Brazil and scored the winning goal against England in the quarter-final.
He also won the Ballon d’Or in 2005, recognising him as the world’s best footballer that year.
His return to Ravenna was first announced in June by Italian-American businessman Ignazio Cipriani, who has owned the club since 2024.
Cipriani said Ronaldinho’s objective was to return to football and attempt to score one final goal.
“His objective is romantic, to try to score his last goal,” Cipriani said.
He also rejected suggestions that Ronaldinho’s involvement was designed simply to attract publicity for the club.
“His involvement is not a token gesture or a marketing stunt to get people talking about us,” Cipriani said.
However, supporters will have to wait before seeing Ronaldinho in a competitive match. Cipriani confirmed that the former Brazil star will not play against Reggiana in Ravenna’s Serie C season opener on Monday.
Ravenna finished third in Group B of the Italian third-tier championship last season and are targeting promotion to Serie B.
The club has not played in Serie B since 2008.
Ronaldinho’s potential return to competitive football therefore comes as Ravenna attempts to push for promotion, while the Brazilian has set himself the personal target of reaching 300 career goals.
For a player who last appeared in an official match more than a decade ago, his return will now be closely watched by supporters as Ravenna begins its new Serie C campaign.
