Ronaldinho, 46, Comes Out of Retirement to Join Serie C Club

Ronaldinho, 46, Comes Out of Retirement to Join Serie C Club

Brazilian football icon Ronaldinho has signed a contract with Italian Serie C club Ravenna in a stunning move that has captured global attention, more than a decade after his last professional appearance. The 46-year-old former Ballon d’Or and World Cup winner is set to be officially unveiled at a special event in Miami on June 23, with further details about his role expected to emerge then. The deal marks a return to Italy for the legendary playmaker, who previously spent two-and-a-half seasons with AC Milan between 2008 and 2011, and he will work under Ravenna coach Andrea Mandorlini as the club prepares for the 2026-27 campaign. Ronaldinho, who last played professionally for Fluminense in 2015, has largely featured in exhibition matches and legends events since his retirement. “New colours, same smile,” Ronaldinho said in a statement. “I can’t wait to get back to dancing on the ball and write a new story together with Ignazio and the entire Cipriani family. Football has always been a source of joy for me, and I want to bring that same spirit to Ravenna” .

The most pressing question surrounding the deal is whether the 46-year-old icon will actually take to the pitch for Ravenna. Club officials have sent mixed signals about his exact role, creating ongoing intrigue. Ravenna vice-president Ariedo Braida, who had previously signed Ronaldinho from Barcelona to Milan in 2008, initially suggested the Brazilian would not feature in Serie C matches. “Ronaldinho will do a marketing event with us, but he won’t play for Ravenna in Serie C next season. Also, because he’s 46, I wish he could still play,” Braida said. However, Braida later softened his stance, leaving the door open for a potential return to the pitch. Speaking to the ANSA news agency, he stated: “Ronaldinho is a timeless champion. He has signed with Ravenna and, for a club like ours, it’s an extraordinary coup. Will he play? We’ll see, but it’s not ruled out. As I already said, he is a timeless champion” .

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According to Sky Sport Italia and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Ronaldinho won’t technically be part of the squad or travel with the team for away matches in the 2026-27 campaign. However, the Brazilian will still be closely involved with the club in several key ways: he will make a brief appearance in a Serie C game during the season, he will become a minority shareholder in the club, Ravenna’s 2026-27 kit will feature his iconic R10 logo, and he will travel to Ravenna around August 20 to attend the team’s unveiling.

For Ravenna, this signing is a massive statement of ambition. The club, which plays its home matches at Stadio Bruno Benelli in the northern Italian city of Ravenna, narrowly missed out on promotion last season and is now determined to raise its profile dramatically ahead of the next campaign. Club owner Ignazio Cipriani, an Italian-American businessman and hotel chain owner, described the move as an extraordinary moment for the club. “I spent 24 years of my life in the United States, but I still consider Ravenna my home. Acquiring Ronaldinho is absolutely extraordinary for the club; he was my idol, and his impact on football goes beyond what he achieved on the pitch,” Cipriani said. Ravenna honorary vice-president Ariedo Braida emphasized the magnitude of the coup: “He’s a magical player, who will have his registration, that’s a huge coup for us” .

Ronaldinho reached the pinnacle of his career during his five-year spell at Barcelona between 2003 and 2008, winning two La Liga titles and the 2005-06 Champions League. He won the Ballon d’Or in 2005 and was named FIFA World Player of the Year twice. On the international stage, he was a key member of Brazil’s 2002 World Cup-winning squad, scoring a memorable free-kick against England in the quarter-finals. Since his last professional appearance for Fluminense in 2015, Ronaldinho has remained active through exhibition matches, charity games and legends tournaments around the world. He officially ended his career in 2017 after two stints in India’s Premier Futsal League. The 46-year-old was recently in attendance for Brazil’s World Cup match in Philadelphia, appearing alongside Ronaldo on the TV screens to huge cheers from the crowd. His global pull remains immense, making this a major coup for the ambitious Serie C side.

Ronaldinho, 46, Comes Out of Retirement to Join Serie C Club