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Brazilian legend Ronaldinho, now 46, stunned the football world on Saturday when news broke that he had agreed to join Italian third-division club Ravenna.
"New colors, same smile," Ronaldinho told Gazzetta dello Sport. "I can't wait to get back to enjoying the game and write a new chapter together with Ignazio [Cipriani, club owner] and the whole Cipriani family.
"Football has always brought me joy, and I want to carry that same energy to Ravenna."
Obvious questions remain, chiefly the fact that he hasn't featured in competitive football since departing Fluminense in the summer of 2015. So, what's actually going on here?
Why Has Ronaldinho Signed for Ravenna?
Ronaldinho's connection with Ravenna reportedly began back in December 2025, though the details of their arrangement remained largely unclear at the time.
The 2005 Ballon d'Or recipient is believed to have developed a strong bond with the club's leadership, ultimately leading to this remarkable development.
"Bringing Ronaldinho on board is something truly extraordinary for this club; he was my idol growing up, and his influence on the game extends far beyond what he achieved on the field," owner Ignazio Cipriani was quoted as saying.
Ronaldinho, who previously represented Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan, is scheduled to be officially unveiled at a ceremony in Miami on June 23.
Will Ronaldinho Actually Play for Ravenna?
This is where things become particularly intriguing.
Early reports centered on Ronaldinho's supposed intention to stage a formal return to competitive play. He is said to have made himself available for preseason training as the club gears up for a promotion push to Italy's second division.
Vice-president Ariedo Braida spoke to ANSA regarding the news and stoked speculation about a potential on-pitch comeback.
"Will he play? We'll see — it's not impossible," Braida said. "As I keep saying, he's a champion, age means nothing to him."
However, a separate interview with Braida appears to have shed light on the true nature of Ronaldinho's involvement with Ravenna.
"Ronaldinho will take part in a marketing event with us but will not feature for Ravenna in Serie C next season," Braida admitted. "Besides, he's 46 — I wish he could still play.
SI answers is our AI answer engine trained on human-created content.
"Dinho was a phenomenon and an extraordinary player. I've shared a wonderful relationship with him since his days at Milan, but he won't be playing in Serie C with us."
Exactly what role Ronaldinho will play in Ravenna's activities remains unclear, but fans hoping for one final glimpse of the Brazilian maestro in action look set to be left disappointed.