Brazilian football icon Ronaldinho has returned to professional football at the age of 46, joining Italian Serie C club Ravenna more than a decade after his last competitive appearance. The former Barcelona and AC Milan star was officially presented by the club in Ravenna on Thursday, August 20, 2026, with the comeback driven by his desire to help the team and potentially score the 300th goal of his career.
Ronaldinho, who retired from professional football after playing his final official match for Fluminense in September 2015, said he was in good physical condition but stopped short of confirming when—or whether—he would take the field.
The 46-year-old will combine his football involvement with an ownership stake in Ravenna, making his return more than a conventional player signing. Club president Ignazio Cipriani has insisted that the move forms part of a wider sporting project rather than simply a publicity exercise.
Ronaldinho’s relationship with Ravenna president Ignazio Cipriani played an important role in bringing the Brazilian back to Italy. Cipriani, who has owned the club since 2024, has ambitious plans for Ravenna and wants to establish the team as a stronger force in Italian football.
Ravenna finished third in Group B of Serie C last season and is targeting promotion to Serie B. The club has not played in Italy’s second tier since the 2007-08 campaign.
The club’s broader project includes:
- A push for promotion to Serie B.
- Increased international visibility for Ravenna.
- Ronaldinho becoming involved as a shareholder.
- A stronger connection between the club and its local community.
- Using the Brazilian legend’s experience and profile to inspire the squad.
Cipriani said Ronaldinho’s involvement was intended to contribute to the team’s ambitions and generate greater enthusiasm around the club.
The most personal objective surrounding Ronaldinho’s comeback is his ambition to reach 300 career goals.
During his presentation, the Brazilian acknowledged that scoring another goal would make his return especially meaningful. He also stressed that his actual playing role would depend on the coach and club leadership.
That uncertainty means his return should not yet be interpreted as a full-time playing commitment. Although Ravenna has registered him as a player, there is no confirmed timetable for his competitive debut.
The club has already confirmed that Ronaldinho will not feature in its Serie C season opener against Reggiana on Monday.
Ronaldinho returns to football with one of the most decorated careers of his generation.
He was a key member of Brazil’s 2002 World Cup-winning team and won the Ballon d’Or in 2005. At club level, he enjoyed celebrated spells with Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona and AC Milan. He also won the UEFA Champions League with Barcelona and Serie A with AC Milan.
For Brazil, Ronaldinho made 97 appearances and scored 33 goals. His combination of technical ability, creativity and improvisation helped establish him as one of the defining players of the early 2000s.
His final official appearance came for Fluminense in September 2015, meaning the gap between his last professional match and this comeback stretches to roughly 11 years.
While Ronaldinho’s return has generated enormous attention, Ravenna’s sporting objectives remain central to the project.
The club narrowly missed promotion last season after finishing third in its Serie C group. Its ambition is to return to Serie B and eventually establish itself at a higher level of Italian football.
Ronaldinho’s involvement could therefore serve two purposes: adding experience and visibility to the club while helping create a stronger connection between Ravenna and its supporters.
The scale of the attention surrounding his arrival has already transformed the profile of a club that traditionally operates outside the global spotlight.
Ronaldinho’s return is unlikely to be judged solely by the number of minutes he plays. At 46, his greatest influence may extend beyond the pitch through mentorship, publicity, investment and his ability to generate excitement around Ravenna.
The immediate question remains whether the former Ballon d’Or winner can translate his current fitness into competitive football after such a long absence.
For Ronaldinho, however, the objective is straightforward: help Ravenna, enjoy his return to Italy and, if the opportunity comes, add one more memorable goal to a career that has already secured his place among football’s most recognisable legends.
