Ronaldinho Returns to Football
Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho has made a surprise return to football at the age of 46, joining Italian third tier club Ravenna with an ambitious goal of scoring his 300th career goal.
The former Barcelona star has not played an official match since September 2015, when he represented Fluminense. His unexpected comeback comes more than a decade after his retirement from professional football.
Legendary Career
Ronaldinho enjoyed a remarkable career with clubs including Paris Saint Germain, Barcelona and AC Milan. During his time at Barcelona, he became one of the world’s most entertaining players and won the 2005 Ballon d’Or.
At international level, Ronaldinho earned 97 caps for Brazil, scoring 33 goals. He was also part of Brazil’s victorious 2002 World Cup team.
New Challenge With Ravenna
Ronaldinho arrived in Ravenna by private jet and was officially presented on the Adriatic coast. He said he feels in good shape and is happy to be surrounded by friends.
He added that Ravenna can achieve something special, while any decision over his playing time will be left to the coach.
Ravenna owner Ignazio Cipriani first revealed the plan during the 2026 World Cup in Miami. He described Ronaldinho’s return as a romantic project and rejected suggestions that it was simply a marketing move.
Targeting 300 Career Goals
Ronaldinho is aiming to reach 300 career goals during his comeback. He is also expected to take a stake in the club.
Ravenna finished third in Serie C Group B last season and are hoping to return to Serie B, where they have not played since 2008.
The club confirmed Ronaldinho will not feature against Reggiana in their opening match on Monday.
