Ronaldinho has arrived in Italy as he prepares to restart his playing career with Serie C club Ravenna, having signed for the side at the age of 46.
The former Ballon d’Or winner was seen stepping off his flight after travelling to Italy and is expected to meet his new team-mates on Friday, 21 August. He is also due to attend Ravenna’s official team presentation ahead of the 2026-27 season.
Ronaldinho’s move to the Italian third tier was confirmed earlier this summer. The Brazilian, who enjoyed a distinguished career with Paris St-Germain, Barcelona and AC Milan, has already been involved with the club’s preparations for the new campaign.
His arrival has attracted significant attention, but Ravenna owner Ignazio Cipriani has rejected the suggestion that the signing was made solely for commercial or promotional reasons. Cipriani says Ronaldinho is expected to feature in at least one league match, with the possibility of making several appearances.
“He will be there for the presentation of the team on August 21,” Cipriani confirmed in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport in June.
“He won’t come on the training camp, but he will definitely take part in at least one league match, maybe even a few more, we’ll see. We still don’t know when he will take to the pitch in the league, it will depend on several things. It will definitely be a home game.
“His goal is to score his final goal in a Ravenna shirt.”
The timing of Ronaldinho’s competitive return remains undecided. Cipriani said it would depend on several factors, while confirming that the former Brazil international’s first appearance for Ravenna would come at home.
Ravenna are preparing for the start of the 2026-27 Serie C campaign, with Ronaldinho’s presentation scheduled for Friday. The club has not yet revealed which league fixture he could play in.
Ronaldinho retired from top-level football after a career that included major domestic and European success. He became one of the most recognisable players of his generation during his time at Barcelona and was also a key member of the Brazil team that won the 2002 World Cup.
At Barcelona, he won two La Liga titles and the Champions League, while he also collected the Ballon d’Or in 2005. His career also included spells with Gremio, Paris St-Germain, AC Milan, Flamengo, Atletico Mineiro, Queretaro and Fluminense.
His signing gives Ravenna a globally famous figure as they begin their preparations for the new season, while the club’s owner has made clear that the arrangement is intended to include a genuine playing role rather than appearances limited to promotional events.
For now, Ronaldinho’s immediate commitments are focused on the team presentation and meeting his Ravenna colleagues. The club will then decide when the 46-year-old can make his return to competitive action, with the stated ambition of seeing him score one final goal in a Ravenna shirt.