Ronaldinho to Make Comeback for Ravenna at 46 in Derby Against Forli
Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho will step onto the field for Ravenna at the age of 46 when he plays in Serie C action at the Stadio Bruno Benelli on Sunday morning. This match, a derby against Forli, marks his first competitive appearance in 11 years, with his last game being for Fluminense in 2015. Ronaldinho recently acquired a stake in the club, adding an ownership role to his legendary player status.
Ravenna’s manager, Andrea Mandorlini, announced that Ronaldinho will start the match. “Then together we will decide how long he plays,” Mandorlini stated. “He is one of the greatest players of the modern era. We have to get a result. We always play with three forwards. He will be one of the three.” Notably, Ronaldinho retired just one goal shy of 300 senior career goals, providing additional motivation for his return to the pitch.
Details for spectators include a kickoff time of 11:30 a.m. ET on Sunday, November 15, at Stadio Bruno Benelli in Ravenna, Italy. Fans can watch the match live on CBS Sports and Yahoo Sports.
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How to watch Ronaldinho in Ravenna vs Forli live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 11:30am ET Sunday, November 15
Venue: Stadio Bruno Benelli — Ravenna, Italy
TV Channel & stream link: CBS Sports and Yahoo Sports
Ronaldinho history: World Cup, Champions League, Copa Libertadores, and Ballon d’Or winner
Ronaldinho retired with a career total of 299 senior goals, which includes 266 goals scored at club level and 33 for Brazil’s national team. As the 2005 Ballon d’Or winner, he played a key role in Brazil’s triumphs, including the Copa America in 1999, the 2002 World Cup, and an Olympic bronze medal in 2008. Additionally, he is a Copa Libertadores champion with Atletico Mineiro and a UEFA Champions League winner from his days at Barcelona. His accolades also include La Liga and Serie A titles, earned with Barcelona and AC Milan, respectively.
Ronaldinho is also involved in football ownership in the U.S., acting as part-owner of Greenville Triumph in USL League One and Greenville Liberty in the USL W League.
Ravenna vs Forli team news
Currently, Ravenna sits in second place in Serie C, boasting a 9-2-2 record and trailing only Spezia’s reserves. The team, led by former Inter Milan player Andrea Mandorlini, features Simone Rabbi, an ex-Bologna and Italy U18 star, as their leading scorer.
In contrast, Forli occupies the 15th position on the table with a record of 3 wins, 6 draws, and 4 losses. They are coached by Nicola Campedelli, a former Italian youth international. Key players to watch include Tommaso Gabellini, a 20-year-old on loan from Torino, and veteran forward Davide Macri.
