Ronaldinho Announces Comeback at 46, Aims for 300th Career Goal with Ravenna
Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho has announced his return to the sport at the age of 46, joining Italian third-tier club Ravenna, with hopes of scoring his 300th career goal. Fans flocked to a city beach to celebrate “Ronaldinho Day,” braving the rain to witness the unveiling of the former star who previously played for clubs like Paris St-Germain, Barcelona, and AC Milan. Ronaldinho retired from professional football in 2015.
“I’m very happy to be here with friends; we have a team that can do something good,” Ronaldinho expressed during the event. He also revealed that he would take on a role as a shareholder in the Serie C club.
When asked about his playing time, he stated, “Will you see me play? I don’t know; only the coach knows that. Coming back to Italy is wonderful; I’m here to help my teammates win.” He added, “As you can see, I’m in shape, I feel good… If I could score my 300th goal, that would be even more beautiful.”
Ronaldinho concluded his playing career in September 2015 during his last match with Brazilian club Fluminense. He achieved significant milestones in his career, including winning the World Cup in 2002 and the Ballon d’Or in 2005, scoring the decisive goal in the quarter-final against England.
The announcement of Ronaldinho’s comeback was first made in June by Ignazio Cipriani, the Italian-American businessman who has owned the club since 2024, while he was attending the World Cup in Miami. Cipriani stressed that Ronaldinho’s involvement with the team is genuine, stating, “His involvement is not a token gesture or a marketing stunt to get people talking about us.”
However, Cipriani confirmed that Ronaldinho will not participate in Monday’s Serie C season opener against Reggiana. Ravenna finished third in Group B of the third-tier championship last season and is eager to reclaim its place in Serie B, a league it has not competed in since 2008.
Brazil great Ronaldinho said he hopes he can score his 300th career goal after announcing a comeback at the age of 46 at Italian third-tier side Ravenna.
Thousands of fans gathered at a city beach for an event dubbed “Ronaldinho Day”, enduring rain to witness the unveiling of the former Paris St-Germain, Barcelona and AC Milan playmaker, who retired from playing in 2015.
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“I’m very happy to be here with friends, we have a team that can do something good,” said Ronaldinho, who will become a shareholder in the Serie C side.
“Will you see me play? I don’t know, only the coach knows that. Coming back to Italy is wonderful, I’m here to help my teammates win.
“As you can see, I’m in shape, I feel good… If I could score my 300th goal, that would be even more beautiful.”
Ronaldinho ended his career in September 2015 when he played his last official match with Brazilian club Fluminense.
He won the World Cup in 2002, scoring the winning goal in the quarter-final against England, and the Ballon d’Or in 2005.
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The forward’s comeback was first announced in June by Ignazio Cipriani, an Italian-American businessman and owner of the club since 2024, while he was attending the World Cup in Miami.
“His objective is romantic, to try to score his last goal,” said Cipriani on Thursday.
“His involvement is not a token gesture or a marketing stunt to get people talking about us.”
Cipriani added that Ronaldinho would not play against Reggiana on Monday in the Serie C season opener.
Ravenna finished third in Group B of last season’s third-tier championship and are seeking a return to Serie B, where they haven’t played since 2008.
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