Ronaldinho’s return to professional football headlines, as the Brazilian legend prepares to play for Italian club Ravenna on November 15. At 46, Ronaldinho will face rivals Forlì in a Serie C derby at Ravenna’s Stadio Bruno Benelli, club officials confirmed Friday.
The announcement ends speculation about whether the former Barcelona and AC Milan star would appear in a match after retirement. Ravenna shared a video confirming the date, calling the comeback a return of magic that captivated generations of football fans.
Ronaldinho last played professionally for Brazilian side Fluminense in September 2015, making this appearance more than eleven years later again. Although he announced retirement in 2018, the 2002 World Cup winner signed with Ravenna this year and joined its project.
The agreement combines a playing appearance with a partnership, bringing international attention to the Italian third-division club and its ambitions. Club president Ignazio Cipriani previously expressed hope that Ronaldinho could score his 300th career goal while wearing Ravenna’s yellow-and-red colours.
His planned debut starts at 5:30 p.m. local time on Sunday, November 15, according to the club’s official announcement. The match carries extra significance because Forlì and Ravenna share a regional rivalry, making the occasion meaningful for local supporters.
Fans have followed the story since Ronaldinho’s presentation in August, when supporters welcomed the Brazilian star near Ravenna’s coastline there. During his career, Ronaldinho won the 2002 World Cup with Brazil, the 2005 Ballon d’Or, and Barcelona’s Champions League title.
His creativity, dribbling, and smile made him one of football’s most recognisable figures, inspiring supporters beyond the clubs he represented. Ravenna expects the match to attract international attention, although Ronaldinho’s precise role and playing time remain unclear before kickoff yet.
Ronaldinho’s return to professional football promises a nostalgic occasion, reconnecting fans with a beloved star whose influence spans generations worldwide.
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