Brazilian legend Ronaldinho will return to competitive football at the age of 46 after coach Andrea Mandorlini confirmed he will start Ravenna’s Serie C derby with Forlì.
Mandorlini’s announcement, made on Friday, ends earlier uncertainty over whether the former Ballon d’Or winner would come off the bench or begin the contest. Ronaldinho arrived in Italy late and has had limited time to work with his team-mates, but he will nonetheless take his place from the start in Ravenna’s forward line.
A return after a long gap
Ronaldinho last played a competitive match in September 2015 for Fluminense. While he officially announced retirement in 2018, this week’s plan involves him registering as a player for the third-tier Italian club for the derby.
Mandorlini said the decision on how long Ronaldinho stays on the pitch will be made as the game unfolds, reflecting both his fitness and the derby’s intensity. Ronaldinho joined Ravenna in June, combining the playing return with an investment role at the club. Owner Ignazio Cipriani has framed the move as part of a wider ambition to raise the club’s profile and strengthen its link with the city.
There is also a personal target in the background: Ronaldinho is understood to be one goal short of 300 career strikes. Ravenna are also making special preparations for the occasion, including installing a temporary stand at the Benelli to accommodate expected demand.
Promotion picture in Serie C
Sporting context matters too. Ravenna are among the leading teams in Serie C Group B, and the local derby offers a chance to remain in the promotion mix.
With Ronaldinho confirmed in the starting XI, Sunday’s fixture is set to draw significant attention far beyond Italy—despite the game’s third-tier status—because it brings one of football’s best-known figures back to competitive action.
Kick-off at the Stadio Bruno Benelli is on Sunday, 15 November.
