RAVENNA — Football icon Ronaldinho has officially joined Italian Serie C club Ravenna FC. The 46-year-old Brazilian legend, a former Ballon d'Or winner and 2002 World Cup champion, has entered into a deal with the club to spearhead upcoming marketing initiatives.
Not a Playing Return
Despite the excitement surrounding his arrival, Ravenna’s honorary vice-president, Ariedo Braida, clarified that the former Barcelona and AC Milan star will not be returning to professional competitive football.
“Ronaldinho will do a marketing event with us, but he won’t play for Ravenna in Serie C next season,” Braida stated. “I wish he were still able to play. ‘Dinho’ was a phenomenon and a wonderful player, but he won’t play in Serie C with us.”
A Strategic Coup
The partnership is viewed as a significant branding move for the club. Club owner Ignazio Cipriani, who cited Ronaldinho as his childhood idol, emphasized the global impact of the signing. “Acquiring Ronaldinho is absolutely extraordinary for the club. He was my idol and his impact on football goes beyond what he did on the pitch,” Cipriani said.
Ronaldinho, who has not played professionally since 2015, expressed his enthusiasm for the new collaboration: “New colours, same smile. I can’t wait to get back to dancing on the ball and write a new story together with Ignazio and the entire Cipriani family. Football has always been a source of joy for me, and I want to bring that same spirit to Ravenna.”
Continued Presence in World Cup
The announcement follows Ronaldinho’s recent public appearance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where he attended Brazil’s dominant 3-0 victory over Haiti alongside fellow legend Ronaldo. The star is scheduled to be formally unveiled in Miami next week as part of the club’s promotional rollout.
While Ronaldinho's return to the pitch remains off the table, Ravenna FC expects his involvement to significantly elevate the club's profile and commercial reach heading into the 2026/27 season.
