Ronaldinho returns to football in shock Italian move

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Robin Bairner | Chief Editor

Accredited football journalist and editor covering the game since 2006

Brazil legend Ronaldinho has come out of retirement at the age of 46 to join Serie C side Ravenna FC.

Widely considered one of the best and most exciting players of his generation, Ronaldinho thrilled fans around the world at clubs such as PSG, Barcelona and AC Milan before quitting the professional game in 2015 after a brief stint with Fluminense.

The winner of the 2005 Ballon d’Or is ready to make his big return to football in Italy for Ravenna, who he is a part-owner of. He will be formally presented at an event in Miami on 23 June.

“New colours, same smile. I cannot wait to dance with the ball and write a beautiful new story with Ignazio Cipriani and the Cipriani family,” Ronaldinho said.

“Football has always been joyful for me, and I’m excited to bring that spirit to Ravenna. Let the magic begin!”

Ronaldinho to Ravenna ‘extraordinary’

Ravenna are well backed by businessman owner Ignazio Cipriani, who commented: “Bringing Ronaldinho to Ravenna FC by Cipriani is an extraordinary moment for the club.

“He was my idol growing up, and his impact on the game extends far beyond football.

“Beyond what he brings to the club, I hope his involvement inspires a new generation of supporters to fall in love with Ravenna FC and become part of what we’re building for the future.”

The world’s best

For a period during the first decade of the century, Ronaldinho was undoubtedly the biggest footballing superstar in the world. After arriving in Europe at PSG, he moved to Barcelona, where he helped lead the Camp Nou side to the 2006 Champions League title.

This time with Barca was Ronaldinho at the peak of his powers, known for his flashy dribbling and freewheeling creativity that made him the world’s most dazzling player in the years before Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi emerged. Towards the end of his time in Spain, injury began to take a toll on his body, while his well-renowned partying lifestyle meant that he lost condition and would never again reach the dazzling levels he showed with the Blaugrana.

Ronaldinho turned down Manchester City to join AC Milan in 2008, but he struggled for fitness with the Rossoneri and after two-and-a-half years returned to Brazil. In an anticlimactic final four years of his club career, he turned out with Flamengo, Atletico Mineiro, Mexican side Queretaro and, finally, Fluminense.

Who are Ravenna?

Ravenna’s high points have been in stints in Serie B, which is a height they have not reached since relegation in 2008. Although they have spent the majority of their recent years in the fourth tier, they can boast to have some of the finest players in Italy’s recent history having passed through their club.

Italy internationals Christian Vieri, Favio Cannavaro, Alberto Gilardino and Vincenzo Montella all played for Ravenna – an illustrious list that Ronaldinho is now primed to join.