Ronaldinho Announces Comeback at 46, Targets 300th Career Goal
Brazil legend Ronaldinho has announced a surprise return to football at the age of 46, with the former Barcelona and AC Milan star joining Italian third-tier club Ravenna.
Thousands of fans gathered at a city beach for “Ronaldinho Day” despite heavy rain to welcome the former Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona and AC Milan playmaker.
Ronaldinho retired from professional football in 2015 but will now become a shareholder at Ravenna and could feature for the Serie C side.
“I’m very happy to be here with friends. We have a team that can do something good,” Ronaldinho said.
Asked if fans would see him play, he replied: “I don’t know, only the coach knows that. Coming back to Italy is wonderful. I’m here to help my teammates win.
“As you can see, I’m in shape, I feel good. If I could score my 300th goal, that would be even more beautiful.”
Ronaldinho played his last official match for Brazilian club Fluminense in September 2015.
The former Brazil international enjoyed a highly successful career, winning the 2002 World Cup and scoring the winning goal against England in the quarter-finals. He also won the Ballon d’Or in 2005.
Ravenna owner Ignazio Cipriani first announced Ronaldinho’s comeback in June while attending the World Cup in Miami.
“His objective is romantic, to try to score his last goal,” Cipriani said.
“His involvement is not a token gesture or a marketing stunt to get people talking about us.”
Cipriani confirmed that Ronaldinho will not play against Reggiana in Ravenna’s Serie C season opener on Monday.
Ravenna finished third in Group B of Italy’s third tier last season and are hoping to win promotion to Serie B, where they have not played since 2008.
