Ronaldinho returned to football on Sunday evening, as an Italian minnow somehow coaxed the 46-year-old back to the beautiful game
There weren’t too many fans circling the Emilia-Romagna derby in their calendar seven days ago – but a whirlwind week has shifted it to primetime viewing, thanks to a returning Ronaldinho. On Sunday, more than 11 years after last lacing up his boots, he was back.
Ravenna hardly have a glittering history in Italian football – the small city, with a population of less than 16,000, sits on the Adriatic coast – and has only touched the relatively shallow heights of Serie B.
These days, they turn out in Serie C, Italy’s third tier – but new owner, Ignazio Cipriani, a member of the famous luxury restaurant chain family, had grand ambitions when he took charge in 2024.
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Cipriani wanted to sign a player that would immediately bring international attention to the club. And he chose his childhood icon to be that man.
Speaking to The Sun, the Italian explained: “Ronaldinho is so important that no one tries to compare him with Pelé, Maradona or Messi. He’s just Ronaldinho Gaúcho.
“That is enough to put him in the highest shelf in world football history and that is what we are bringing to Ravenna.
”A well and modern structured system of managing football, that through the eyes and mind of Ronaldinho, on and off the pitch, will bring us to the highest level in Italian football. And soon after it, to European football.”
And the deal is so much more than just a stunt – Ronaldinho is also now an owner of a stake in the club. Ravenna jogged out onto the pitch looking like something out of a Joga Bonito advert, with the club wearing Ronaldinho’s R10 technical apparel brand.
Reports suggest his name, image and football shirts are envisaged as becoming part of a global business involving clothing, accessories, entertainment and international events.
However, the moment all football fans wanted to see finally happened on Sunday as Ronaldinho made his return at the Stadio Bruno Benelli, wearing No.10, as Ravenna welcomed Forli.
The Brazilian icon played the first-half, as he was involved in the build-up for Giulio Donati opener. Simone Rabbi then doubled their lead in the second half.
Serie C is split into three parallel divisions, with Ravenna now second in C1.