Football legend Ronaldinho is officially un-retired at 46 years old, signing with Italian third-tier side Ravenna, and he has one pure, simple goal: his 300th career score. Seriously, how often do you see a two-time World Player of the Year lace ’em up again over a decade after hanging it up, just to chase that one last, perfect number? This isn’t just a signing, it is a full-blown romantic quest for football glory.
The Legend Returns, Against All Odds
When Ronaldinho announced his comeback, thousands of fans packed a city beach for “Ronaldinho Day,” standing in the rain just to see him unveiled. You know the name, right? This is the same icon who made magic for Paris St-Germain, Barcelona, and AC Milan, winning massive titles with those latter two clubs. He last played an official match in September 2015 with Brazilian club Fluminense, winning the World Cup in 2002 , including that unforgettable winning goal against England in the quarter-final , and snagging the Ballon d’Or in 2005. Now, over ten years since his retirement, he is back, and he’s not shy about his motivation. “I’m very happy to be here with friends, we have a team that can do something good,” he said, adding, “As you can see, I’m in shape, I feel good… If I could score my 300th goal, that would be even more beautiful.” He netted 33 goals in 97 appearances for Brazil, so adding one more to his already legendary tally truly would be something special.
A Romantic Objective for Ravenna
This whole audacious comeback isn’t just about Ronaldinho; it’s also about Ravenna, a Serie C side hoping for big things. The club’s owner since 2024, Italian-American businessman Ignazio Cipriani, first spilled the beans about the comeback back in June while at the World Cup in Miami. Cipriani is clear this isn’t some cheap marketing ploy. “His objective is romantic, to try to score his last goal,” Cipriani stated, emphasizing, “His involvement is not a token gesture or a marketing stunt to get people talking about us.” Ronaldinho isn’t just playing; he’s becoming a shareholder in the club. Ravenna finished third in Group B last season, and they are openly gunning for a return to Serie B, a league they haven’t seen since 2008. Ronaldinho’s energy and leadership, even if he doesn’t hit the pitch often, could be huge for this team. “Coming back to Italy is wonderful, I’m here to help my teammates win,” he said.
So, what’s next for the 46-year-old maestro? Ronaldinho won’t be playing against Reggiana on Monday in Ravenna’s Serie C season opener. But don’t let that fool you. This isn’t about one game, it’s about the journey, that singular, beautiful objective: number 300. We’re all watching to see if this football wizard can pull one last trick out of his bag.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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