Ronaldinho, 46, unveiled as player and shareholder at Serie C side Ravenna after surprise June signing
Ronaldinho, 46, was formally unveiled as a player and partner at Serie C club Ravenna after arriving from Milan Linate to Forlì airport on Thursday at 11.50am, following a signing announcement that broke at 10pm on 19 June. The former Ballon d’Or winner completed a medical and spoke at a press conference as part of the club’s presentation of his comeback.
The signing initially provoked disbelief locally and internationally because Ronaldinho’s last official match was in 2015 for Fluminense and world attention had been focused on the World Cup when Ravenna made the announcement. The club’s president, Ignazio Cipriani, a scion of the family known for Harry’s Bar, has overseen the move, and the arrival prompted discussion in the city among the mayor, fans and club officials. Ravenna says Ronaldinho will become a partner in the club while also potentially featuring on the pitch in the yellow-and-red jersey.
On arrival the Brazilian wore a floral shirt, Bermuda shorts and a flat cap before taking part in a customary medical. A brief press conference was held at the Monaldina, the Gardini-Ferruzzi family residence, where Ronaldinho spoke sparingly and with a familiar smile. He said: “The Milan derby is the most beautiful memory of my previous Italian experience,” and added: “Friendship and passion are the keys that brought me back here.” He outlined his objectives: “To help, to excite the other players, and to have a spectacular season. To win, if possible.”
Ronaldinho set out his intentions about playing and scoring: “If a goal comes, my experience in Ravenna will become even more beautiful, but whether I will actually play will be decided by the president and the coach.” Ariedo Braida, present at the event, commented: “We have the magic of football in Ravenna, what more could we ask for?” and recalled Kevin-Prince Boateng’s 2016 opinion placing Ronaldinho at the top of a list that included Pelé, Maradona, Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Cipriani described the recruitment as driven by personal ties and club ambition, saying “Ronaldinho is in shape” and repeating that friendship and passion were decisive. He confirmed Ronaldinho’s entry as a shareholder and framed the move beyond publicity: “It’s not just about marketing, it’s not just international visibility. It is the chance to create a new enthusiasm around the club and the yellow-and-red jersey.”
The club staged a presentation on the beach at Marina di Ravenna that introduced the full Ravenna squad and featured Ronaldinho as the main attraction. Cipriani outlined the president’s sporting ambition for a rapid climb to Serie B and ambitions beyond that to the top flight. The arrival has also produced a ticketing impact, with the club reporting over 2,700 season tickets sold for Ravenna’s Serie C campaign.
Ravenna’s Serie C season begins on Monday in Reggio Emilia and, as confirmed by Cipriani, Ronaldinho will not take part in that away opener. He was handed the No 10 shirt on arrival by head coach Andrea Mandorlini and addressed supporters with the words: “Thank you very much,” as a child in the crowd shouted, “I saw him!”