Brazilian legend Ronaldinho, now 46, has announced a return to football with Italian third-tier club Ravenna, saying he hopes to notch the 300th goal of his career.
Despite the rain, thousands flocked to a city beach for “Ronaldinho Day” to see the former Paris St-Germain, Barcelona and AC Milan star unveiled. He last played professionally in 2015.
Ronaldinho, who will also take a stake in the Serie C club, said he is thrilled to be back among friends and believes the squad can achieve something meaningful.
He added that any decision on his playing time rests with the coach, but that returning to Italy feels special and his focus is on helping the team win.
Feeling fit and confident, he said reaching the 300-goal milestone would make the comeback even sweeter.
Ronaldinho’s final official appearance came in September 2015 with Brazilian side Fluminense.
His accolades include winning the 2002 World Cup—where he scored the decisive goal against England in the quarter-finals—and the 2005 Ballon d’Or.
Club owner Ignazio Cipriani, an Italian-American businessman who took over in 2024, first revealed the comeback in June while at the World Cup in Miami.
Cipriani described Ronaldinho’s aim as a romantic one—to score a final goal—and stressed the move is genuine rather than a marketing ploy.
He also confirmed Ronaldinho will not feature against Reggiana in Monday’s Serie C opener.
Ravenna finished third in Group B last season and are pushing for a return to Serie B, a division they last played in back in 2008.