Ronaldinho returns to the pitch with Ravenna at 46

Ronaldinho, one of the best footballers in the world, is returning to professional football at the age of 46. He is expected to play a few minutes in Ravenna's home derby against Forli on Sunday, November 15. The match can be watched on Paramount+.

Ravenna is a club that has long competed in the lower leagues of Italy. The club was bought in 2024 by Ignazio Cipriani. The Cipriani Group runs luxury restaurants, private membership clubs, hotels and event venues in cities such as New York, London, Monaco, Miami and Dubai. The group presents itself as a global luxury lifestyle and real estate player rather than a restaurant company.

Ronaldinho's contract is based less on wearing the shirt every week and more on global marketing and special appearances in big matches. The player's main goal is to score one last professional goal for the club and to hold a stake in it. Ronaldinho became a worldwide star at Barcelona, which he joined in 2003, and during the period when he won the 2005 Ballon d'Or. He played for AC Milan between 2008 and 2011. He played his last match in 2015 and announced his retirement in 2018.

Names linked to the Milan years also stand out at the club. Lorenzo Tonetti, who is responsible for external relations, ran a restaurant during Ronaldinho's years at Milan, and that venue was like a second home for the club's players. Head coach Andrea Mandorlini coached in Serie A and also played for Inter as a player.