Football star Ronaldinho Gaúcho, who won the FIFA World Cup with Brazil in 2002, played his last professional football match in 2015. Eleven years later, at the age of 46, he has made the shocking decision to return to the pitch. He is now the new plater at Italy's third division club, Ravenna FC.
Brazilian football legend, Ronaldinho, is not done with professional football just yet. He is now a player for Ravenna FC, an Italian third division (Serie C) club. The player is also an investor and global brand ambassador for the club.
Ronaldinho will once again wear the legendary No. 10 shirt, marking his return to professional football eleven years after he played his last competitive match with Fluminense. He was officially presented as a player of the Italian club on Thursday, August 20, 2026, in a grand ceremony by the beach in front of several supporters.
There have been doubts whether the Brazilian will be seen on the pitch or not because the club had initially said that Ronaldinho will only take part in a marketing event and will not play. However, the owner of Ravenna FC, Ignazio Cipriani has assured fans that he will play at least one official home match, making it more of a symbolic appearance.
Ronaldinho, who is still driven by the love for the game, is excited to score some goals. Ignazio has also revealed that it is a dream that the football star scores his final career goal for this club.
Talking to the media, the player said, "I'm very happy to be here with my friends, but let's wait and see if things go well with the team". When asked about when he will make his debut as a Ravenna player, he added, "I don't know, it depends on the president and coach. I don't know."
Ronaldinho will not be a part of Ravenna's opening Serie C match set to take place on Monday, August 24, 2026 at Reggio Emilia. "I've come here because of the friendship we have, and that's it, let's wait and see how the team does ... I'm here to help", Ronaldinho said.
It will not be Ronaldinho's first stint at Italy, who played for AC Milan from 2008 to 2011. By then, he had won a World Cup and was also a Ballon d'Or winner (2005).
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