Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho is set to make a sensational return to competitive football at the age of 46, with Italian third-tier club Ravenna confirming that the former Barcelona and AC Milan star will feature in a derby against Forli on November 15.
The announcement marks an unexpected return for one of football’s most celebrated entertainers, whose dazzling dribbling, creativity and trademark smile made him a global icon during his playing career.
Ravenna confirmed the date for Ronaldinho’s appearance on Saturday, announcing that the Brazilian would wear the club’s shirt in the Serie C fixture against local rivals Forli at the Stadio Bruno Benelli.
“The wait now has a date: Sunday, November 15,” the club said in its announcement, describing the occasion as an event expected to attract worldwide attention.
Ronaldinho’s return was first announced in June, when Ravenna revealed that it had secured the Brazilian’s involvement with the club. He subsequently became a shareholder, adding an ownership role to his planned appearance on the pitch.
The move has attracted attention because Ronaldinho has been away from competitive football for more than a decade. His last competitive appearance came with Brazilian club Fluminense in 2015, while he officially announced his retirement in 2018.
Despite the lengthy absence, the former Brazil international has indicated that he remains enthusiastic about football and wants to contribute to Ravenna’s ambitions.
When he arrived in Italy in August for the club’s presentation, Ronaldinho stopped short of confirming when he would play but expressed his desire to help the team. He also raised the possibility of reaching 300 career goals, having scored 299 according to reports surrounding his comeback.
“I’m here to help,” he said at the time.
The upcoming appearance will give supporters an opportunity to see the former playmaker back in competitive action, although the extent of his involvement in the match has not been detailed publicly.
Ronaldinho enjoyed one of the most memorable careers of his generation. He was a central figure in Brazil’s triumph at the 2002 FIFA World Cup in South Korea and Japan, where his performances helped the national team secure its fifth world title.
His international success was followed by an outstanding period at Barcelona, where his technical ability, creativity and attacking flair made him one of the most influential players in world football. He won the Ballon d’Or in 2005 after establishing himself as one of the sport’s leading figures.
He also played for Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan, building a reputation for his ability to entertain supporters while producing decisive moments on the pitch. His career included major domestic honours and the 2006 UEFA Champions League title with Barcelona.
Ronaldinho later returned to Brazil, playing for Flamengo and Atlético Mineiro before joining Fluminense. His final competitive spell ended in 2015, bringing to a close a career defined by technical brilliance and an unusually expressive style of play.
His involvement with Ravenna is also tied to the club’s wider ambitions. Based in northern Italy, Ravenna are competing in Serie C, the country’s third tier, and are seeking promotion to Serie B, where they have not played since 2008.
The club’s ownership believes Ronaldinho’s presence can strengthen the connection between the team and the local community while drawing international attention to Ravenna. His involvement as a shareholder gives the arrangement significance beyond a single appearance.
Ravenna are currently competing near the top of Serie C Group B, with their promotion campaign adding sporting importance to the season. The derby against Forli is therefore expected to be a major occasion for supporters, even as the attention surrounding Ronaldinho brings an additional international spotlight.
For fans who remember his finest years at Barcelona and with Brazil, the prospect of seeing him play again offers a rare opportunity to revisit the career of a footballer whose influence extended beyond trophies and statistics.
At 46, Ronaldinho faces a very different challenge from the one he knew during his peak years. His return will nevertheless be closely watched, particularly if he can move closer to the milestone of 300 career goals.
The November 15 fixture is now set to become one of Ravenna’s most anticipated matches of the season, with the Brazilian legend preparing to bring his famous footballing flair back to the pitch.
