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Ronaldinho, 46, emerges from retirement to join third-tier Italian club
Ronaldinho, 46, emerges from retirement to join third-tier Italian club
Ronaldinho
has remarkably ended his retirement from
football
at the age of 46, signing with a third-tier Italian club.
It was announced on Wednesday that the Brazilian legend will join Serie C side
Ravenna
FC, 11 years after he last played professionally.
Ronaldinho’s exact role at the club is unclear, however, and there is scepticism that he will actually take to the pitch for Ravenna. Still, he is set to be officially unveiled next week, and he did hint at a playing role.
Ronaldinho attending Brazil’s World Cup win over Haiti
(
Getty
)
“New colours, same smile,” he said. “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.”
Ravenna plays in the town of the same name, with its home matches taking place at Stadio Bruno Benelli. The town is located in northern Italy, along the coast and not far from Bologna.
Serie C consists of three divisions, and Ravenna finished their in their table last season.
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Brazil icon Ronaldinho, 46, signs for third-tier Italian club
Brazil icon Ronaldinho, 46, signs for third-tier Italian club
ByBEN WILLCOCKS, ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
Published:06:03 EDT, 20 June 2026|Updated:06:14 EDT, 20 June 2026
13
Viewcomments
Ronaldinho has made a stunning return to football by signing for third-tier Italian club Ravenna - but the 46-year-old Brazil icon will not be lacing up his boots once again.
The formerBarcelona,Paris Saint-GermainandAC Milansuperstar announced his retirement from football after a short stint with Fluminense in 2015.
Now having enjoyed retirement for 11 years, Ronaldinho has shocked world football by agreeing a surprise transfer to Serie C outfit Ravenna, where he is set to undertake a marketing role.
Ronaldinho, who will be officially unveiled at an event in Miami next week, teased a potential return to the pitch upon his arrival, saying: '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.'
It was later confirmed by Ravenna's honourary vice president Ariedo Braida that the World Cup winner would …
Ronaldinho Joins Ravenna: Brazilian Legend Signs at 46
Ronaldinho Joins Ravenna: Brazilian Legend Signs at 46
Sports
ronaldinho signs with italian third-tier club ravenna at age 46
TNM (With ANI Inputs)
|
Published On:
Jun 20, 2026
ANI Photo | ronaldinho signs with italian third-tier club ravenna at age 46
Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho has announced his return to professional football by signing with Ravenna, an Italian Serie C club, more than ten years after his last competitive match.
Initially, club officials indicated that Ronaldinho’s involvement with Ravenna would be mainly for marketing purposes. However, they have since left open the possibility that the 46-year-old former Ballon d’Or winner could take to the field again.
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Ronaldinho is scheduled to be officially presented as a member of Ravenna at a special event in Miami on June 23, according to Goal.com citing Gazzetta. The move marks a return to Italy for the former FC Barcelona and AC Milan player, who play…
FIFA World Cup 2026: India skipper Shubman Gill meets Brazil football ...
FIFA World Cup 2026: India skipper Shubman Gill meets Brazil football ...
New York [US], June 27 (ANI): India Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill met Brazil football legend Ronaldinho in the United States on the sidelines of the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026, which is being co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico.
Ronaldinho, the 2002 FIFA World Cup winner with Brazil and former FC Barcelona star, has been a regular presence at matches during the ongoing tournament, especially those involving his national team.
A picture shared by Gill through a fan page on social media showed the right-handed batter posing alongside the Brazilian football icon.
Gill recently featured in the home series against Afghanistan, which he won 3-0, his first ODI series win as a skipper. He was also chosen as the 'Player of the Series', scoring 232 runs in two innings, with the best score of 154.
The series also saw the Indian batting superstar breach the 3,000 ODI run mark and 7,000 international runs.
On the other hand, Ronaldinho has reportedly come out of retirement, completing a shock move to Italy's third-tier club Ravenna in the Serie C, more than a decade after his last professional appearance.
T…
Ronaldinho signs for third-tier club - and could even play again at 46 ...
Ronaldinho signs for third-tier club - and could even play again at 46 ...
DON'T MISS A MOMENT OF THE WORLD CUP
Your all-access pass to scores, live updates, and insights
Explore
Getty Images Sport
Yosua Arya
Jun 20, 2026 08:15-04:00
Ronaldinho
Ravenna
Brazil
Serie C
Brazil icon Ronaldinho has completed a surprise move to Italian third-tier side Ravenna, more than a decade after his last professional appearance. While club officials initially suggested his role would be limited to marketing activities, they have since refused to rule out the possibility of the 46-year-old featuring on the pitch.
Surprise return to Italian football
Ronaldinho has signed a contract with Serie C club Ravenna in one of the most unexpected moves in recent football history. As per
Gazzetta
, the former Ballon d'Or winner is set to be officially presented at a special event in Miami on June 23.
The deal marks a return to Italy for the Brazilian legend, who previously spent two-and-a-half seasons with AC Milan. Since his last professional appearance for Fluminense in 2015, Ronaldinho has largely featured in exhibition matches and legends events. Now, he is returning to a club environment under coach Andre…
Ronaldinho Joins Italian Third-Tier Side Ravenna at 46: Marketing Stunt or Competitive Comeback?
Ronaldinho Joins Italian Third-Tier Side Ravenna at 46: Marketing Stunt or Competitive Comeback?
<img width="679" height="453" src="https://i0.wp.com/media.premiumtimesng.com/wp-content/files/2026/06/1003434662-e1781965437406.jpg?fit=679%2C453&ssl=1" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Ronaldinho Gaucho" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/media.premiumtimesng.com/wp-content/files/2026/06/1003434662-e1781965437406.jpg?w=679&ssl=1 679w, https://i0.wp.com/media.premiumtimesng.com/wp-content/files/2026/06/1003434662-e1781965437406.jpg?resize=523%2C349&ssl=1 523w" sizes="(max-width: 679px) 100vw, 679px" /><p>The football world is abuzz with excitement as Ravenna prepares to unveil the legendary playmaker at a special event in Miami on June 23, a move that has captivated fans everywhere.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.premiumtimesng.com/sports/football/889354-ronaldinho-joins-italian-third-tier-side-ravenna-at-46-marketing-stunt-or-competitive-comeback.html">Ronaldinho Joins Italian Third-Tier Side Ravenna at 46: Marketing Stunt or Competitive Comeback?</a>…
Ronaldinho gets new job with third tier club - talkSPORT
Ronaldinho gets new job with third tier club - talkSPORT
Football
World Cup
Jack Cunningham
, SEO and Live Blogs Writer
Published
: 3:02,
20 Jun 2026
Updated
: 3:03,
20 Jun 2026
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Ronaldinho is back in club football with Italian Serie C side Ravenna.
However, at the age of 46, he won't be lacing up his boots again and has instead joined the club in an off-field role.
3
Unfortunately, for fans of samba skills, we won't be seeing Ronaldinho on the pitch
Credit: ravennafootballclub
The former
AC Milan
and
Barcelona
star has signed a deal to work with Ravenna on marketing to try and help grow the club.
Speaking after the deal was confirmed, he said: “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.”
Ronaldinho
will be officially unveiled in Miami next week.
Owner Ignazio Cipriani has wanted to make an ambitious move for a long while, and he's delighted that Ronaldinho has agreed to join in some capacity.
He said: “I spent 24 years of my life in the United States, b…
Shubman Gill meets football icon Ronaldinho amid FIFA World Cup 2026
Shubman Gill meets football icon Ronaldinho amid FIFA World Cup 2026
India Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill met Brazil football legend Ronaldinho in the United States on the sidelines of the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026, which is being co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico. Ronaldinho, the 2002 FIFA World Cup winner with Brazil and former FC Barcelona star, has been a regular presence at matches during the ongoing tournament, especially those involving his national team. A picture shared by Gill through a fan page on social media showed the right-handed batter posing alongside the Brazilian football icon.
Gill recently featured in the home series against Afghanistan, which he won 3-0, his first ODI series win as a skipper. He was also chosen as the 'Player of the Series', scoring 232 runs in two innings, with the best score of 154. The series also saw the Indian batting superstar breach the 3,000 ODI run mark and 7,000 international runs.
On the other hand, Ronaldinho has reportedly come out of retirement, completing a shock move to Italy's third-tier club Ravenna in the Serie C, more than a decade after his last professional appearance. The club officials initially had suggest…
Ronaldinho signs for third-tier club - and could even play again at 46
Ronaldinho signs for third-tier club - and could even play again at 46
DON'T MISS A MOMENT OF THE WORLD CUP
Your all-access pass to scores, live updates, and insights
Explore
Getty Images Sport
Yosua Arya
Jun 20, 2026 08:15-04:00
Ronaldinho
Ravenna
Brazil
Serie C
Brazil icon Ronaldinho has completed a surprise move to Italian third-tier side Ravenna, more than a decade after his last professional appearance. While club officials initially suggested his role would be limited to marketing activities, they have since refused to rule out the possibility of the 46-year-old featuring on the pitch.
Surprise return to Italian football
Ronaldinho has signed a contract with Serie C club Ravenna in one of the most unexpected moves in recent football history. As per
Gazzetta
, the former Ballon d'Or winner is set to be officially presented at a special event in Miami on June 23.
The deal marks a return to Italy for the Brazilian legend, who previously spent two-and-a-half seasons with AC Milan. Since his last professional appearance for Fluminense in 2015, Ronaldinho has largely featured in exhibition matches and legends events. Now, he is returning to a club environment under coach Andrea Ma…
Ronaldinho, 46, Signs Contract With Italian Third Tier Side Ravenna
Ronaldinho, 46, Signs Contract With Italian Third Tier Side Ravenna
By
Joshua Waite
Published
Jun 20, 2026, 11:34 AM GMT+1
Joshua is a sports writer who made an important career change in early 2024 to follow his true passion. He runs his own football blog, PureBall, where he shares his thoughts and stories on the sport he has loved the longest.
Writing has always been Josh's way of expressing his deep enthusiasm for sports, and this new path allows him to bring a fresh and honest perspective to his work.
He also gains valuable experience as a volunteer match reporter for the Loughborough Foxes WFC. Covering live events has helped Josh improve his storytelling skills and given him a closer insight into the game.
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Ronaldinho's love affair with a football isn't over. The
Brazilian
icon, now 46, has put pen to paper on a deal with Ravenna, the Serie C outfit based in the north of
Italy
.
Whether he actually pulls on a shirt for a competitive fixture remains a different question entirely, and even the club's own hierarchy can't seem to agree on the answer.
News of the move broke via Gazzetta dello Sport
, with the report revealing
Ronaldinho
will be …
Ronaldinho Comes Out of Retirement: What's Really Going on?
Ronaldinho Comes Out of Retirement: What's Really Going on?
Brazilian icon Ronaldinho, now 46 years old, sent shockwaves around the world on Saturday when it emerged he had reached an agreement to join Italian third-tier side Ravenna.
“New colors, same smile,” said Ronaldinho (via
Gazzetta dello Sport
). “I can’t wait to get back to dancing on the ball and write a new story together with Ignazio [Cipriani, club owner] and the entire Cipriani family.
“Football has always been a source of joy for me, I want to bring that same spirit to Ravenna.”
There are obvious questions, primarily the fact he has not played competitive soccer since leaving Fluminense in the summer of 2015. So, what’s really going on?
Why Has Ronaldinho Signed for Ravenna?
Ronaldinho (left) has been spotted at the World Cup. | Shaun Botterill/FIFA/Getty Images
Ronaldinho and Ravenna first began their relationship in December 2025, but little was known about the nature of their business together.
The 2005 Ballon d’Or winner is understood to have formed a close relationship with those in charge of Ravenna, leading to this stunning turn of events.
“Acquiring Ronaldinho is something absolutely extraordinary for the cl…
Revealed: The Details Behind Ronaldinho’s Sensational Move to Italy’s ...
Revealed: The Details Behind Ronaldinho’s Sensational Move to Italy’s ...
news
Revealed: The Details Behind Ronaldinho’s Sensational Move to Italy’s Third Division
G
Gianni
Chief Editor •
Professional
Jun 20, 2026
4 min read
129 views
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Brazilian legend Ronaldinho is joining Italian third-division club Ravenna in a unique deal that makes him a minority shareholder and brand ambassador...
A Move That Defies Expectation
In a story that has captured the imagination of the football world, Brazilian icon
Ronaldinho
has signed with Italian third-division side
Ravenna
. The move, first reported by
Football Italia
, is not a conventional transfer but a multi-faceted arrangement that will see the 46-year-old become a minority shareholder, make a brief on-pitch appearance, and lend his iconic R10 brand to the club’s kit.
Ronaldinho, who was in Philadelphia on June 19 to watch
Brazil
defeat
Haiti
3-0 in the
FIFA World Cup 2026
, will be officially unveiled at a special event in Miami on June 23. He will then travel to Ravenna around August 20 for the team’s public presentation ahead of the 2026-…
Corroboration
No verdict, no pronouncement. The model extracts atomic factual claims with verbatim quotes; every quote is validated against the source text and corroboration is computed by counting how many editorially-opposed blocs assert each fact.
The spine · 1 fact corroborated across ≥2 opposed blocs
2×broadly confirmedRonaldinho, aged 46, has signed with the Italian third-tier football club Ravenna FC.
nigeriaother
premiumtimes“Ronaldinho Joins Italian Third-Tier Side Ravenna at 46”
independent.co.uk“Ronaldinho has remarkably ended his retirement from football at the age of 46, signing with a third-tier Italian club.”
Single-source · 7 — reported by one bloc only (uncorroborated)
Ronaldinho is set to be officially unveiled at a special event in Miami on June 23.
premiumtimes
Ronaldinho last played professionally 11 years before joining Ravenna FC.
independent.co.uk
Ronaldinho said, 'New colours, same smile,' and added, '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.'
independent.co.uk
Ronaldinho said, 'Football has always been a source of joy for me, and I want to bring that same spirit to Ravenna.'
independent.co.uk
Ravenna FC plays its home matches at Stadio Bruno Benelli.
independent.co.uk
The town of Ravenna is located in northern Italy, along the coast and not far from Bologna.
independent.co.uk
Serie C consists of three divisions.
independent.co.uk
Framing · 4 — loaded language surfaced (spin shown, not adopted)
premiumtimes
“Marketing Stunt or Competitive Comeback?”
→ The article questions whether Ronaldinho's signing is a marketing stunt or a genuine competitive return.
independent.co.uk
“has remarkably ended his retirement”
→ Ronaldinho ended his retirement.
independent.co.uk
“there is scepticism that he will actually take to the pitch for Ravenna”
→ Some people doubt Ronaldinho will play for Ravenna.
independent.co.uk
“he did hint at a playing role”
→ Ronaldinho suggested he might play.
Entities
Indiaplace
FIFAorg
Italyplace
Brasilplace
Shubman Gillperson
Ronaldinhoperson
talkSPORTorg
third-tier cluborg
Italian cluborg
Ravennaplace
46place
Brazil footballorg