Ronaldinho Set for Surprise Return to Football at 46 With Ravenna

Ronaldinho, one of football’s most celebrated stars, is reportedly coming out of retirement at age 46 and is expected to sign with Ravenna, a club in Italy’s third division, Serie C. The move was confirmed by Ravenna vice president Ariedo Braida, and Italian media later published comments from Ronaldinho himself. According to Braida, the Brazilian will be presented officially next week.

Braida told Italian reporters that Ronaldinho is “a champion, and he has no age.” He added, “He will be signed by Ravenna, and this is an extraordinary move for our club. Will he play? We’ll see. It is not something that can be ruled out.”

In quotes published by Gazzetta dello Sport, Ronaldinho said he was eager to return to the pitch and to start a new chapter with club owner Ignazio Cipriani and the Cipriani family. “I can’t wait to touch the ball again and write a chapter with Ignazio Cipriani and the whole Cipriani family,” he said. “Football has always been a source of enjoyment for me, and I want to bring that spirit to Ravenna.”

Ronaldinho’s career lasted about 17 years. He began at Gremio in 1998, then spent three years at Paris Saint-Germain, five years at Barcelona and three years at Milan before returning to Brazil. With Barcelona he won the Champions League, two Spanish league titles and one Super Cup. With Brazil he won the 2002 World Cup, the Copa America and the Confederations Cup, along with major individual honors including FIFA World Player of the Year, the Ballon d’Or and the top foreign player award in Spain.