The soccer world got hit with a bombshell: Ronaldinho, the 46-year-old Brazilian legend, has officially signed with Italian third-division club Ravenna. This move comes more than a decade after he last played professionally for Fluminense in 2015, and it has Ravenna, a city more famous for its nearby beaches than its soccer, absolutely buzzing. It was a surprise announcement back in June, and now the rubber has officially hit the road.
Ronaldinho Mania Takes Over Ravenna
Thursday was officially “Ronaldinho day” in Italy, and man, did Ravenna show up! This isn’t just some low-key event for a third-tier team. We’re talking thousands of fans, around 6,000 strong, packing a glitzy beachside ceremony, waving flags and holding flares high in the air, even with some intermittent rain. Before their new No. 10 walked out, the crowd was belting out “Hall of Fame” by The Script, and honestly, the lyrics felt perfectly ironic. One of soccer’s most recognizable figures, a guy who won the World Cup with Brazil in 2002 and snagged the Ballon d’Or in 2005, stepping on stage? Yeah, the world knows his name already, but now they’re going to know Ravenna’s, too. Ronaldinho himself arrived by private jet at Forlì Airport, about 19 miles out, signing a couple of soccer balls for airport staff before ditching the handful of fans waiting landside. He rolled up with Ravenna President Ignazio Cipriani, from the famous Cipriani restaurant brand, ready to face the press before the big fan presentation.
So, Is Ronnie Actually Gonna Play?
That’s the million-dollar question, right? When the press hit Ronaldinho with how he was feeling, and when fans could expect him on the field, his answers were pretty classic. He said, “I’m very happy to be here with my friends, but let’s wait and see if things go well with the team,” which, okay, fair. Then, asked about playing, he laughed and said, “I feel fine,” before dropping the mic with, “I don’t know, it depends on the president and coach. I don’t know.” Dude’s playing it cool! We already know he won’t be in Ravenna’s first Serie C match of the season on Monday, away at Reggio Emilia. It’s totally unclear how much he even *hopes* to play during the campaign. But Cipriani, the President, he’s got a dream: he wants Ronaldinho to score his last career goal for Ravenna. Ronaldinho’s take? “If that happens even better, no?” He summed it up by saying, “I’ve come here because of the friendship we have, and that’s it, let’s wait and see how the team does … I’m here to help.” This marks his second stint in Italy, after rocking it for AC Milan from 2008-11.
So, there you have it, folks. Ronaldinho is back, in Italy, with a third-tier club, for friendship. His first match isn’t Monday, but the buzz is real. Will he actually suit up? Will he net that dream goal for Cipriani? We don’t know yet, and honestly, that’s half the fun. Keep your eyes on Ravenna, because this season just got a whole lot more interesting.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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