Ronaldinho to come out of retirement at age 46 for third-tier Italian club

Brazilian icon Ronaldinho is set to come out of retirement and sign for Italian Serie C side Ravenna, aged 46.

The World Cup and Ballon d’Or-winning superstar had hung up his boots back in 2018 after a brief spell with Fluminense in 2015.

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But The Athletic report that he has arrived in Italy to resume his career, with 6,000 fans expected to greet him at a launch event on the nearby Adriatic coast.

Ronaldinho also becomes part of the club’s ownership group fronted by Ignazio Cipriani, head of luxury hospitality business Mr. C Hotels & Residencies, having previously come onboard to help with Ravenna’s marketing.

And the ex-Barcelona star has addressed doubts that he might not actually play for the club.

He told Flashscore: “I will certainly play a few minutes in an official match, then we’ll see how I feel.”

Cipriani confirmed as much, explaining: “He has also chosen to make an extraordinary gift to the city and to his new club.

“He will take to the pitch for Ravenna in an official professional match, with one clear and romantic aim — to try to score the final goal of his career.”

Who are Ravenna, Ronaldinho’s new club?

Ravenna currently play in Group B of Serie C, the regionalised third tier of Italian football.

Nicknamed the Giallorossi, they are managed by former Inter Milan defender Andrea Mandorlini.

Having finished third in the table last season, Ravenna will begin the new Serie C campaign away to Reggiana on Monday.

That’s after they were knocked out of the Coppa Italia in the last 32 earlier this month.

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What has Ronaldinho achieved in his career?

Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, Ronaldinho enjoyed a glittering career for club and country.

A key part of a star-studded Brazil’s 2002 World Cup success, he earned 97 international caps between 1997 and 2013, scoring 33 goals.

Dubbed ‘The Wizard’, Ronaldinho regularly produced moments of stunning individual brilliance, spending his prime years at the Nou Camp.

There, he won two LaLiga titles and the Champions League title in 2006.

Bestowed with the ultimate individual honour of the Ballon d’Or in 2005, he was also named FIFA World Player of the year twice (back-to-back in 2004 and 2005).

He is one of only 11 players to win the Ballon d’Or, Champions League and World Cup, with Spain captain Rodri joining the list this summer.

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Having started out at hometown club Gremio, Ronaldinho also turned out for Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan, Flamengo, Atletico Mineiro, Queretaro and Fluminense during his original playing days.

During his three-year stay in Milan, Ronaldinho lifted the Serie A title in 2011.

In 2004, he was named by fellow Brazilian legend Pele in his FIFA 100 list of the greatest living footballers at the time.

And in 2012, he even had the more curious distinction of having a species of bee named after him.