Ronaldinho makes Ravenna debut aged 46 after 11 years out of the game

At 46, Ronaldinho has made his return to professional football, playing for Italian side Ravenna after an 11-year break. The Brazilian star, who announced his signing in June, played 45 minutes in the match against local rivals Forlì, a game that drew an enthusiastic crowd to the Estádio Bruno Benelli.

The atmosphere was electric, with the 5,000-capacity stadium adding a temporary stand for 1,800 supporters, named “R10” in honour of the former player. As Andrea Bocelli’s music echoed around the ground, fans lit flares and smoke bombs, creating a festive backdrop for Ronaldinho’s debut. He took to the pitch wearing the number 10 shirt and quickly stood out, contributing to his side’s first goal, assisted by Giulio Donati.

Although he did not manage to score his long-awaited 300th goal, Ronaldinho showed that he still has the magic that defined his career. At the end of the first half, he thanked the crowd and was replaced by Matteo Maggio. The former Brazil international, who has also become a shareholder in the club, left open the possibility of further appearances, telling Sky Italia: “It went by quickly, it has always been like that for me. Is this my last game? I don’t know. If the president keeps calling me, I will come back. It is always a pleasure. I told him that if he needs me, I will be here.”

Ravenna, who have not competed in Serie B since 2008, are currently second in their regional Serie C group, six points behind leaders Spezia. This is Ronaldinho’s second spell in Italy, having played for AC Milan between 2008 and 2011, where he won a Serie A title. His trophy-laden career includes spells at clubs such as Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, as well as winning the 2002 World Cup with Brazil and the World Player of the Year award in 2005.

With Ronaldinho’s comments hinting at a possible continuation, Ravenna fans may yet enjoy more magical moments from this football icon. The star’s return not only revives his career, but also inspires a new generation of players and fans, reviving enthusiasm around the club.