Ronaldinho, 46, to signal for third-tier membership 11 years after retiring in extravagant presentation
Brazil legend Ronaldinho is set to come out of retirement after 11 years at the age of 46 and jet in to sign for a third tier club in extravagent fashion
Ronaldinho has returned to football(Image: Getty Images)
Brazil legend Ronaldinho is reportedly set to come out of retirement after 11 years to sign for a new club at the age of 46.
The superstar attacking midfielder has landed in Italy to sign his contract ahead of his presentation with third-tier club Ravenna. Thousands of fans are expected to witness the 2005 Ballon d’Or winner’s ceremony at an extravagant beach festival on the Adriatic Coast.
Ronaldinho is a part of Ravenna’s ownership group led by Ignazio Cipriani, part of the luxury hotel group. Cipriani is the grandson of Giuseppe Cipriani, the founder of the legendary Harry’s Bar in Venice.
Ronaldinho is set to return to football 11 years after retiring
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Cipriani spoke about the signing of Ronaldinho, insisting it’s not a marketing stunt, instead the Brazilian has the hunger to return to the professional game.
He said: “This is not window dressing or a marketing stunt. Ronaldinho will become a shareholder in Ravenna FC — that is the central point of the operation.
“He has also chosen to make an extraordinary gift to the city and to his new club: he will take to the pitch for Ravenna in an official professional match, with one clear and romantic aim — to try to score the final goal of his career.”
Ravenna begin their season against Reggiana this weekend, but it remains to be seen whether Ronaldinho will feature, and there’s an even bigger question about his fitness.
He last played a competitive game for Fluminense back in 2015, and he has not been a part of coach Andrea Mandorlini’s pre-season preparations.
Ronaldinho previously played in Italy for two and a half years at AC Milan before moving to Flamengo in January 2011.
He also starred for Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, Atletico Mineiro and Queretaro, and played 97 times for Brazil, winning the 2002 World Cup.
