Popular Italian sport medium Gazzetta dello Sport has reported that former Ballon d’Or and World Cup winner Ronaldinho is set to come out of retirement aged 46 to play for Ravenna in the Italian third tier.
Ronaldinho has not played since a two-month stint at Fluminense in 2015.
According to the sport daily, Ronaldinho was scheduled to sign a deal in Miami on Tuesday, 23 June, 2026 and that he was already in the United States for the World Cup.
Consulted by AFP, a source close to the deal confirmed the news.
“I can’t wait to get back dancing with the ball again and to write a new story with Ignazio Cipriani (the Italian-American owner of Ravenna) and his entire family “Football has always been a source of joy for me. I want to bring the same spirit to Ravenna,” added the former Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona star.
Ravenna vice-president Ariedo Braida, however, told Italian media that Ronaldinho’s signing was more a marketing ploy than a piece of squad-building and he may never actually play.
“He’s a magical player, who will have his registration, that’s a huge coup for us. Will he play at 46? That depends, but he’ll be registered, ” Braida said.
