Good news for football fans as legendary player Ronaldinho has come out of retirement. The Brazilian football legend has been officially presented as a player for Ravenna FC, marking a surprising return to the pitch more than a decade after his last competitive appearance.
The 46-year-old, who last played for Fluminense in 2015, signed with the Serie C club earlier this year and becomes both a registered player and a shareholder under president Ignazio Cipriani, of the well-known Cipriani hospitality family. Cipriani has described the move as more than a marketing exercise, explaining Ronaldinho’s stake in the ownership group and his personal commitment to the project.
Ronaldinho comes out of retirement at 46 to join Italian Serie C side
Ronaldinho has said he intends to play at least a few minutes in an official match, intending to score what would be the final goal of his career. He will not feature in Ravenna’s season opener but is expected to appear in a home fixture at some point. The deal also includes the launch of his R10 brand on the club’s kits.
Ronaldinho’s presentation took place as a beach festival on the Adriatic coast near Ravenna, drawing thousands of fans, with reports putting the expected attendance around 6,000. The high-profile arrival forms part of the club’s broader effort to raise its international profile and reconnect the historic Emilia-Romagna side with a new generation of supporters.
A World Cup winner with Brazil in 2002 and Ballon d’Or recipient in 2005, Ronaldinho previously starred in Italy with AC Milan. His return to Italian football at this stage of his career has generated significant global attention for the third-tier club.
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