Ronaldinho’s Surprising Comeback: Why the Brazilian Legend Is Joining Ravenna

Ronaldinho, one of the most celebrated footballers of all time, is set to return to the pitch on Sunday, Nov. 15, for a notable occasion. The Brazilian forward, who won the 2005 Ballon d’Or and starred for Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona and AC Milan during the peak of his European career, agreed in the summer of 2026 to join Ravenna, an Italian club currently competing in the third division. Ronaldinho, whose last professional match came in 2015 and who will turn 47 next year, is expected to play some minutes in the home derby against Forlì. The appearance comes more than a decade after his final professional game and several years after he announced his retirement in 2018.

How to watch Ravenna vs. Forlì

• Date: Sunday, Nov. 15 | Time: 11:30 a.m. ET
• Location: Stadio Bruno Benelli — Ravenna, Italy
• TV: Paramount+

The Ravenna project

Ravenna, a club with a long history in Italy’s lower divisions, was acquired in 2024 by Ignazio Cipriani, the nephew of Arrigo Cipriani, founder of the iconic Harry’s Bar in Venice. The Cipriani Group operates high-end restaurants, private members’ clubs such as Casa Cipriani, luxury hotels, event venues and branded residences in major international cities including New York, London, Monaco, Miami and Dubai. The group is increasingly positioning itself as a global luxury lifestyle and real estate player rather than simply a restaurant business.

That expansion has helped Cipriani build connections with prominent figures across football, politics, music and entertainment. When the group entered football, it brought in people with experience at the highest level of the game, including former AC Milan sporting director Ariedo Braida, who played a key role alongside former AC Milan CEO Adriano Galliani in building the club’s legacy under Silvio Berlusconi’s presidency. Braida left AC Milan in 2013 after 27 years.

Ravenna’s current head coach is Andrea Mandorlini, who spent several years coaching in Serie A and represented Inter as a player between 1984 and 1991. The connection with Ronaldinho, who joined AC Milan in 2008 during Braida’s tenure, also involves another key figure at Ravenna: Lorenzo Tonetti, the club’s head of external relations. During Ronaldinho’s time at AC Milan, Tonetti owned Giannino, a Milan restaurant that became something of a second home for several of the club’s players. It was also a favorite meeting place for Galliani, who famously negotiated several transfer deals within its walls. Curiously, one of the waiters working there at the time was Giuseppe Riso, now one of the best-known agents in football, who represents players such as Sandro Tonali, Davide Frattesi and Carlos Augusto.

Why is he coming back?

Ronaldinho signed a dual player-investor contract in the summer of 2026. He joined Ravenna with the goal of scoring one final professional goal while also acquiring an ownership stake in the club. Rather than playing every week, his agreement focuses on global marketing and special appearances in marquee matches, such as Sunday’s local derby against Forlì. Ronaldinho is one of the most notable players in the history of the game. He joined Barcelona in 2003, where he became a global superstar, winning two FIFA World Player of the Year awards, the 2005 Ballon d’Or and the UEFA Champions League in 2006. In 2008, he moved to AC Milan, where he played until 2011. At international level, he was a key part of Brazil’s national team that won the 2002 World Cup. He formally retired in 2018 but played his last competitive match three years earlier, in 2015.

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