RismadarVoice Reporters, August 21, 2026
Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho has made a surprise return to football after 11 years away from the professional game, signing with Italian third-division club Ravenna.
The 46-year-old former Barcelona star announced his return on Thursday, saying he hopes to help the club while pursuing a personal ambition of scoring what he described as his “300th goal.”
Ronaldinho officially retired from football in 2015 after his final competitive appearance for Brazilian side Fluminense in September of that year.
The former Brazil international was presented by Ravenna, where he expressed his excitement about returning to Italy and reuniting with friends.
“I’m very pleased to be here with friends; we have a team capable of achieving something significant,” Ronaldinho said during his presentation.
Asked whether he would feature on the pitch, the former Ballon d’Or winner said the decision would be left to the coach.
“I cannot say; only the coach has that knowledge. Returning to Italy is fantastic; I’m here to assist my teammates in securing victories,” he said.
Ronaldinho added that he was in good physical condition and would be delighted if he could score his 300th career goal.
“As you can see, I’m in good shape. If I could net my 300th goal, that would be even more remarkable,” he said.
The move was first announced in June during the FIFA World Cup in Miami by Ravenna owner, Italian-American entrepreneur Ignazio Cipriani, who acquired the club in 2024.
Cipriani said Ronaldinho’s involvement was driven by a personal desire to score another goal and insisted that his return was not simply a publicity or marketing strategy.
Ronaldinho scored 33 goals in 97 appearances for Brazil and won the 2002 FIFA World Cup. He was also awarded the Ballon d’Or in 2005.
According to Cipriani, Ronaldinho will become a shareholder in Ravenna but will not feature in the club’s Serie C opening match against Reggiana on Monday.
Ravenna finished third in Group B of Italy’s third tier last season and is targeting promotion to Serie B, having last competed in the division in 2008.
