Ronaldinho has touched down in Italy to complete a sensational return to professional football at 46 years old. Eleven years after stepping away from the competitive game, the former Ballon d’Or winner has officially arrived to join Serie C side Ravenna. Landing in the Adriatic coast city ahead of his official presentation, the Brazilian icon is embarking on an intriguing multi-faceted arrangement that combines ownership, technical coaching, and a planned return to the pitch for one final competitive appearance.
First announced as a shareholder and global ambassador in June, Ronaldinho’s role at Ravenna has expanded into a dual assignment as a technical coach and a rostered player. Ravenna club president Ignazio Cipriani initiated the move, framing the signature around a shared vision for the Brazilian to score his final career goal in the club’s colors. Ronaldinho will not feature in Ravenna’s opening Serie C match of the season at Reggio Emilia, and the club is not expecting a 46-year-old veteran to carry their midfield across an entire campaign. Instead, Ravenna want one official appearance to count, setting the stage for a symbolic competitive farewell.
Addressing his arrival, Ronaldinho highlighted his close relationship with the club’s leadership as the central driver behind his decision. He noted that coming back to Italy feels wonderful and emphasized his desire to help his new teammates achieve success on the pitch. While acknowledging that selection ultimately rests with the head coach, the Brazilian maintained he remains in solid physical condition. Crucially, he pointed to the personal milestone of reaching 300 career goals as an added incentive for taking the pitch one last time.
The return marks Ronaldinho’s first involvement on an official team sheet since September 2015, when he made his final competitive appearance for Brazilian club Fluminense. His decorated career includes winning the 2002 World Cup, where he scored the decisive quarter-final goal against England, alongside claiming the Ballon d’Or in 2005. Around 6,000 supporters are expected to gather at a beachfront event along the Adriatic coast for his official presentation, welcoming one of the game’s immortal figures as he prepares to write the concluding chapter of his playing career in Italian football.
