MILAN, Italy – Nearly 18 years after hanging up his professional boots, one of the most iconic footballers of the 21st century, Ronaldinho, is on the brink of a sensational return to competitive football at the age of 46, with Italian third-division club Ravenna secured his signature, according to breaking reports from leading Italian sports daily *Gazzetta dello Sport*.
The Brazilian global star, who holds both a Ballon d’Or title and a FIFA World Cup winner’s medal from his decorated career, was expected to formalize the agreement during a signing ceremony in Miami on Tuesday. The outlet confirmed that Ronaldinho was already present in the United States to attend the 2024 FIFA World Cup, putting the final touches on the deal ahead of schedule. When contacted by Agence France-Presse (AFP), an anonymous source with direct knowledge of the negotiation confirmed the accuracy of the report, ending weeks of swirling speculation around the unexpected comeback.
In a statement carried by *Gazzetta dello Sport*, the former FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain playmaker expressed his unwavering passion for the sport that defined his legacy. “I can’t wait to get back dancing with the ball again and to write a new story with Ignazio Cipriani, the Italian-American owner of Ravenna, and his entire family,” Ronaldinho said. “Football has always been a source of joy for me. I want to bring the same spirit to Ravenna,” he added, leaning into the trademark infectious joy that made him a fan favorite across every league he played in over his career.
But the hype around the high-profile signing has been tempered by a blunt admission from Ravenna’s own leadership. Club vice-president Ariedo Braida, speaking to local Italian media, clarified that the addition of Ronaldinho is less a strategic move to strengthen the first-team squad and more a bold marketing gambit to raise the club’s profile. He even cast public doubt on whether the 46-year-old will ever take the pitch in an official match for the side.
“He’s a magical player, who will have his registration, that’s a huge coup for us,” Braida acknowledged, highlighting the global attention the signing has already drawn to the small Italian club. “Will he play at 46? That depends, but he’ll be registered.”
Ronaldinho, who turned 46 earlier this year, has not appeared in a professional competitive fixture since a brief two-month stint with Brazilian top-flight side Fluminense back in 2015. Since retiring from the game, he has made occasional appearances in exhibition and charity matches, but this will mark his first return to a registered professional club in nearly a decade.