Ronaldinho, 46, to make first competitive start since 2015 for Ravenna against Forli
Ronaldinho, 46, is due to make his first competitive start in more than a decade when Ravenna host local rivals Forli in Italy's third division on Sunday; the former Barcelona and AC Milan playmaker joined Serie C club Ravenna in August and is in line to make his first appearance for the side.
The Ballon d'Or winner in 2005 during his time at Barcelona last played competitively for Fluminense in September 2015. Ronaldinho initially joined Ravenna as an investor in August but has expressed an ambition to score one final goal to take his career total to 300, a motive the club owner Ignazio Cipriani described earlier this year: "His objective is romantic, to try to score his last goal," and added, "His involvement is not a token gesture or a marketing stunt to get people talking about us."
Ravenna manager Andrea Mandorlini told reporters on Friday that Ronaldinho would start the match as one of his side's three forwards. "He will play from the start, there's no doubt," Mandorlini said. "Then together we will decide how long he plays."
Mandorlini also commented on Ronaldinho's standing and the team's approach: "He is one of the greatest players of the modern era. And we have to get a result. We always play with three forwards. He will be one of the three."
The Brazilian arrived in Italy on Friday and will have only one training session with his team-mates before Sunday's fixture.
Ravenna have prepared for an increased crowd by creating a temporary stand at their Stadio Bruno Benelli, with supporters hoping to catch a glimpse of the World Cup winner in action for what some expect could be the final time.
Ravenna forward Simone Rabbi has said that Ronaldinho will take any penalties awarded to Ravenna, who sit second in the table after 13 matches.
Ronaldinho is confirmed to start for Ravenna against Forli on Sunday at Stadio Bruno Benelli, making it his first competitive appearance since September 2015 and his first for the club since joining in August.
