Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho has announced that he will make his return to the pitch on Sunday, 11 years after his retirement. The 46-year-old, who last played for Fluminense in 2015, will start for Italian third-tier side Ravenna in their local derby against Forli. Ronaldinho expressed his excitement about the opportunity, stating that it will be "truly beautiful" to play again. He will be hoping to score his 300th career goal.
Ravenna president Ignazio Cipriani has big ambitions for the club, including taking them to Serie A for the first time in their history. Cipriani's goal is to get Ravenna promoted to Serie A, and he hopes that Ronaldinho's involvement will help kickstart this dream. The team's Stadio Bruno Benelli, which usually holds 5,000 fans, is sold out, with a 1,800-capacity temporary stand also erected for the occasion.
Ronaldinho's move to Ravenna has been widely regarded as a marketing stunt, but Cipriani is adamant that it can help the club achieve its goals. The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star has had a storied career, winning the 2005 Ballon d'Or and playing for several top-tier clubs. He has also had some off-field issues, including spending time in a Paraguayan prison for attempting to enter the country on a false passport.
Despite the hype surrounding his return, Ronaldinho remains focused on the task at hand. He told Sky Sports that he wants to have a great day and is happy to be a part of Ravenna's "wonderful story". The team's fans are also excited, with the temporary stand dubbed "R10" in honor of Ronaldinho.
Ravenna are currently second in their group in Serie C, six points behind leaders Spezia. The team has not played in Serie B since 2008, and promotion to Serie A would be a significant achievement. Ronaldinho's involvement has generated a lot of interest, and the club is hoping to capitalize on this momentum.
The 2005 Ballon d'Or winner has experienced everything there is to experience in football, and this opportunity is a different kind of challenge for him. He wants to be part of the dream held by his friends who work for Ravenna and help the team achieve its goals. With his return, Ronaldinho is set to experience a special moment in his life.
The local derby against Forli on Sunday promises to be an exciting match, with the Stadio Bruno Benelli sold out and a temporary stand erected to accommodate more fans. Ronaldinho's return to the pitch will be a significant event, and fans will be eagerly watching to see if he can help Ravenna achieve a positive result.
Key points
- Ronaldinho to play for Ravenna on Sunday, 11 years after retirement
- Ravenna president Ignazio Cipriani aims to take the club to Serie A
- The move is widely regarded as a marketing stunt, but Cipriani hopes it will help kickstart the team's Serie A dream
