Brazilian football great Ronaldinho is set to come out of retirement at age 46 to join Ravenna FC, an Italian club playing in the third tier, according to multiple reports. Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport says Ronaldinho is scheduled to sign a deal in Miami while he is already in the United States for the World Cup. Reporting also indicates he is expected to be presented as a Ravenna player at an event in Miami on June 23.
Sources describe the arrangement as a return to football ambitions rather than a typical sporting contract. Ravenna vice-president Ariedo Braida tells Italian media that the signing is largely a marketing move and that it remains unclear whether Ronaldinho will actually play matches at his age, though he would be registered with the club. Ronaldinho is also quoted expressing enthusiasm about getting back on the pitch and bringing “the same spirit” to Ravenna.
Ronaldinho last played professionally in 2015, when he had a brief spell with Fluminense, and has been out of competitive football since.
