Transfer: Ronaldinho Returns To Playing Football, Joins New Club

Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho has made a surprise return to football after signing for Italian third-division club Ravenna.

The former Barcelona and Brazil star, who retired from professional football in 2015, announced on Thursday that he would return to the sport after 11 years away.

At 46, Ronaldinho has joined Ravenna with the aim of scoring his “300th goal.”

The legendary forward won the 2002 FIFA World Cup with Brazil and was awarded the Ballon d’Or in 2005. He played his final official match in September 2015 for Brazilian club Fluminense.

Speaking during his presentation in Ravenna, Ronaldinho said:

“I’m very pleased to be here with friends; we have a team capable of achieving something significant.”

He added:

“Will you see me play? I cannot say; only the coach has that knowledge. Returning to Italy is fantastic; I’m here to assist my teammates in securing victories.

“As you can see, I’m in good shape, I feel well… If I could net my 300th goal, that would be even more remarkable.”

Ronaldinho’s return was first revealed in June during the World Cup in Miami by Ignazio Cipriani, an Italian-American businessman who has owned Ravenna since 2024.

Cipriani explained that Ronaldinho’s main motivation is to achieve a personal goal rather than simply promote the club.

“His goal is sentimental, to attempt to score his final goal.

“His participation is not merely a symbolic act or a marketing ploy to generate buzz about us,” Cipriani said on Thursday.

Ronaldinho scored 33 goals in 97 appearances for Brazil. Cipriani also confirmed that the former star will become a shareholder in Ravenna.

However, Ronaldinho will not feature in Ravenna’s Serie C season opener against Reggiana on Monday.

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Ravenna finished third in Group B of the third division last season and are aiming to return to Serie B, where they have not played since 2008.