At 46, Ronaldinho announces his return to competition with Ravenna FC

Ronaldinho is going to play football again. At 46, ten years after hanging up his boots at Fluminense, the Brazilian is about to sign with Ravenna FC 1913, an Italian third-division club in which he is already a shareholder. La Gazzetta dello Sport reported the announcement, while itself highlighting the improbable nature of the news.

The official presentation is scheduled for June 23 in Miami, on the occasion of the launch of the club’s new kit organized by its president, Ignazio Cipriani. The latter made no secret of his enthusiasm: “Ronaldinho’s signing is something absolutely extraordinary for the club; he was my idol and his impact on football goes far beyond what he accomplished on the pitch.”

For his part, the former star of PSG, FC Barcelona and AC Milan expressed his motivation in characteristic terms: “I can’t wait to dance with the ball again to write a new story alongside Ignazio and the entire Cipriani family. Football has always been a source of joy for me, I want to bring that same spirit to Ravenna.”

According to available information, Ronaldinho should participate next month in the club’s first summer training camp, with a complete fitness program before taking on an active role on the pitch. Last season, Ravenna narrowly missed promotion to Serie B; the club now has reinforced ambitions.

The question of whether this return is a genuine sporting project or a carefully orchestrated marketing operation remains open. Winner of the 2002 World Cup with Brazil and the 2006 Ligue des Champions with Barcelona, Ronaldinho had ended his professional career at 35, after a final, inconclusive spell at Fluminense. The official answer on June 23 should lift part of the veil.