Ronaldinho returns to professional football at 46, signs with Serie C side Ravenna
Former Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldinho, 46, will sign with Serie C side Ravenna and be unveiled at a Miami event on 23 June, the club confirms.
The surprise comeback
On 19 June 2026, multiple Italian outlets reported that 46-year-old Brazilian legend Ronaldinho is set to end his retirement and join Ravenna FC, a club competing in Italy's third-tier Serie C. The news, first broken by La Gazzetta dello Sport, was quickly confirmed by the club's vice president Ariedo Braida.
Ronaldinho is an ageless champion. He will be registered with Ravenna and for a club like ours it is an extraordinary coup.
- Italian media break the news that Ronaldinho will sign with Ravenna.
- Official presentation in Miami, where the deal and a special jersey are unveiled.
- Expected squad presentation and possible training camp start, according to Fanpage.
Presentation in Miami
The official presentation is scheduled for 23 June during a high-profile event in Miami. The ceremony will also unveil a special edition Ravenna shirt for the next season, blending the club's traditional 'R' with Ronaldinho's iconic 'R10' brand logo. Ignazio Cipriani, president of the club and head of the Cipriani Group, called the signing 'absolutely extraordinary' and noted Ronaldinho was his childhood idol.
Bringing Ronaldinho here is something extraordinary for the club; he was my idol and his impact on football goes far beyond what he accomplished on the pitch.
A promotional-investor deal
The operation carries a strong marketing component. Sources indicate Ronaldinho will also become an investor in the club, aligning with Cipriani Group's growth strategy. His sporting contribution is expected to be minimal; reports from SAPO and Fanpage suggest he may feature in only a single on-field appearance, with a training camp and pre-season availability also mentioned.
Ronaldinho's own words
The former World Cup winner and 2005 Ballon d'Or recipient expressed enthusiasm for the project. In statements cited across multiple outlets, he said he looked forward to dancing with the ball again and bringing joy to Ravenna.
New colours, same smile. I can't wait to dance with the ball again and write a new story together with Ignazio and the whole Cipriani family. Football has always been a source of joy for me, I want to bring that same spirit to Ravenna.
Last official match and retirement
Ronaldinho's final official professional match took place on 26 September 2015, when he played 45 minutes for Fluminense against Goiás. He formally announced his retirement in January 2018, having since participated only in exhibition matches and celebratory events.
