Ronaldinho is set to make a remarkable return to competitive football at the age of 46 after Ravenna manager Andrea Mandorlini confirmed that the Brazilian legend will start Sunday’s Italian third-division derby against Forli.
The former Barcelona and AC Milan playmaker is preparing for his first competitive appearance in more than a decade, having last featured for Brazilian side Fluminense in September 2015.
Ronaldinho joined Serie C outfit Ravenna in August as an investor, but his involvement has now taken an unexpected turn, with the former Ballon d’Or winner preparing to return to the pitch.
Ravenna had previously announced that the Brazilian would feature in Sunday’s home encounter against local rivals Forli, and Mandorlini confirmed on Friday that he would be included in the starting line-up.
“He will play from the start, there’s no doubt,” Mandorlini told reporters.
“Then together we will decide how long he plays.”
The Ravenna manager also praised the legendary midfielder’s quality, while making it clear that the team would be targeting all three points.
“He is one of the greatest players of the modern era. And we have to get a result. We always play with three forwards. He will be one of the three.”
Ronaldinho arrived in Italy on Friday and was expected to have just one training session with his new teammates before Sunday’s fixture.
Despite his lengthy absence from competitive football, the 2005 Ballon d’Or winner remained determined to return for one final appearance and achieve a personal milestone.
The Brazilian previously expressed his ambition to score one more professional goal and take his career tally to 300.
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Ravenna owner Ignazio Cipriani had earlier explained that the former footballer’s involvement was driven by a genuine desire to play rather than a commercial arrangement.
“His objective is romantic, to try to score his last goal,” Cipriani said.
“His involvement is not a token gesture or a marketing stunt to get people talking about us.”
The club have also prepared for significant interest in the occasion, with a temporary stand erected at the Stadio Bruno Benelli to accommodate the expected crowd.
Supporters will be hoping to witness one of football’s most entertaining players return to competitive action, potentially for the final time.
Ravenna forward Simone Rabbi has also revealed that Ronaldinho will be responsible for taking any penalties awarded to the team during the match.
Rabbi is expected to feature alongside the Brazilian in attack, giving the former Barcelona star an opportunity to make an immediate impact.
Ravenna entered the weekend second in the Serie C standings after 13 matches, making Sunday’s derby important for their promotion ambitions as well as Ronaldinho’s personal comeback.
The Brazilian enjoyed an extraordinary career, winning the 2002 FIFA World Cup with Brazil, the 2005 Ballon d’Or and the UEFA Champions League with Barcelona in 2006.
His return to the pitch after 11 years will therefore attract attention well beyond Italian football, with supporters eager to see whether the 46-year-old can add one final goal to his remarkable career.
