Ronaldinho Laces Up at 46 and Delivers Victory for Ravenna

Ronaldinho came out of retirement on Sunday, eleven years after officially hanging up his boots, playing a half for Ravenna, Italy’s third-division club, in an Emilia-Romagna derby against Forlì in the 14th round of the championship. The 46-year-old Brazilian left the pitch with a 2-0 victory to his credit.

Starting behind the number 10, the former Paris Saint-Germain and FC Barcelona player quickly showed that his technique remained intact, even if his physical condition logically limited his impact. He nonetheless influenced the game by contributing to the construction of Ravenna’s opening goal.

“Will I come back? That’s for the president to decide,” Ronaldinho said immediately after. “If he calls me, I’ll be there! Being here at Ravenna, feeling the excitement before the match—it was really great.”

The operation remains primarily a carefully orchestrated publicity stunt by the club’s management, which succeeded in attracting one of the greatest legends of Brazilian football for a Serie C match. It remains to be seen whether this appearance will remain a one-off or if Ronaldinho will honor other matchdays in Ravenna colors.