Ronaldinho returns to professional football at age 46 to play for Ravenna FC against Forlì on Sunday marking his first official match since September 2015, infobae reported.
Kickoff at the Stadio Bruno Benelli in Ravenna is set for 17.30 local time in Italy, which corresponds to 13.30 in Argentina, according to infobae. The match is part of the 14th round of Italy’s Serie C, where Ravenna competes in Group B, TN reported.
Fans outside Italy, San Marino, and Vatican City can watch the game for free on the special R10 Comeback channel on Kick, TN reported. Sky Sports also arranged to broadcast the fixture live on its YouTube channel, Sky Sports Football, to accommodate global interest, infobae and TN reported.
“The magic never went away. Now is the time to bring it back to the field. On November 15, Ronaldinho returns,” Ravenna FC said in an official announcement quoted by infobae.
The 300-Goal Milestone
The Brazilian forward enters the fixture with 299 career goals in official matches, leaving him one shy of the 300-goal milestone, Olé reported. “I dream about that, if it happens much better,” the player said regarding the milestone.
Ravenna head coach Andrea Mandorlini said that the former Barcelona and Milan star will start the match, though physical conditioning after a long absence means he will not play the full 90 minutes. Observers in Italy anticipate the forward will play for roughly half an hour, according to Olé.
The club announced the signing in June as part of a commercial and sporting project under club president Ignazio Cipriani. Commercial demand surged following the announcement, with official number 10 jerseys priced at 129 euros—roughly 150 US dollars—selling out within hours, alongside branded white caps priced at 32 US dollars, according to infobae.
From Fluminense to Serie C
The player’s last official appearance came in September 2015 while representing Fluminense, and although he formally announced his retirement in 2018, he has since appeared only in exhibition matches and special events, infobae reported. He was born on March 21, 1980, in Porto Alegre, Brazil, and debuted in Gremio’s first team in 1998, according to infobae.
MARCA recalled the forward’s first goal in Italian football on September 28, 2008, when he headed in a cross from Kaká to give Milan a 1-0 victory over José Mourinho’s Inter Milan. He steps onto the pitch at the Bruno Benelli stadium, where Ravenna has installed a provisional stand to handle the increased attendance for the regional derby against Forlì, MARCA reported.
He Won Major Trophies at Barcelona and with Brazil
The most recognized period of his career took place at Barcelona between 2003 and 2008, where he won two La Liga titles, the 2006 Champions League, and two Spanish Super Cups, according to infobae. He was selected as FIFA World Player of the Year in 2004 and 2005, and won the Ballon d’Or in 2005, infobae reported.
After playing for Milan, Flamengo, and Atlético Mineiro, he captured the 2013 Copa Libertadores, which was the only club trophy missing from his resume, according to infobae. He also won the World Cup with Brazil in 2002, TN reported.
