Ronaldinho: Brazilian legend signs with Serie C side Ravenna

Brazilian legend Ronaldinho, 46, has signed with Italian Serie C side Ravenna, but it’s still unclear whether he’ll actually play a competitive match in Italy’s third division.

Former Milan and Barcelona striker Ronaldinho has signed a contract with Italian Serie C side Ravenna.

Gazzetta reports that the 46-year-old will be unveiled at a special event in Miami on June 23.

Ronaldinho signs with Italian club at 46: ‘Same smile’

“New colours, same smile,” Ronaldinho said.

“I can’t wait to be able to dance on the ball again to write a new story together with Ignazio and the whole Cipriani family. Football has always been a source of joy for me, I want to bring the same spirit to Ravenna.”

Ravenna’s owner Ignazio Cipriani added: “I spent 24 years of my life in the United States, but I still consider Ravenna my home. Acquiring Ronaldinho is something absolutely extraordinary for the club; he was my idol, and his impact on football goes beyond what he did on the pitch.”

Ravenna will play the 2026-27 campaign in Italy’s third division under head coach Andrea Mandorlini, who also has Serie A experience in the dug-out.

CARACAS, VENEZUELA – JUNE 6: Former Brazilian football star Ronaldinho takes part in an exhibition match as part of the Liga Monumental tournament on June 6, 2026 in Caracas, Venezuela. Hundreds of children and teenagers attended the event in the Mesuca sector of Petare, one of Venezuela’s largest informal settlements. (Photo by Jesus Vargas/Getty Images)

It’s still unclear, however, whether Ronaldinho will actually play a competitive match in Serie C.

The club’s vice-president, Ariedo Braida, a former Milan sporting director who already signed Ronaldinho at Milan in 2008, told Nicolò Schira (via Corriere Romagna): “Ronaldinho will do a marketing event with us but will not play for Ravenna in Serie C next season. Also because he’s 46, I wish he could still play.

“Dinho was a phenomenon and was a wonderful player. I’ve had a wonderful relationship with him since his time at Milan, but he won’t play in Serie C with us.”

CAGLIARI, ITALY – JANUARY 06: AC Milan Sporting Director, Ariedo Braida during the Serie A match between Cagliari and Milan at Stadio Sant’Elia on January 6, 2011 in Cagliari, Italy. (Photo by Enrico Locci/Getty Images)

Braida, however, later gave another interview to ANSA, refusing to rule out the possibility that Ronaldinho will actually play in Italy’s third division: “Ronaldinho is a timeless champion. He has signed with Ravenna and, for a club like ours, it’s an extraordinary coup,” he said.

“Over the next few days, there will be an event to unveil this extraordinary character. Will he play? We’ll see, but it’s not ruled out. As I already said, he is a timeless champion.”

BARI, ITALY – NOVEMBER 07: Ronaldinho (L) and Alexandre Pato of Milan after the Serie A match between Bari and Milan at Stadio San Nicola on November 7, 2010 in Bari, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)

Ronaldinho made his last competitive appearance with Fluminense in 2015, over ten years ago. A former PSG, Barcelona and Milan star, the ex-Brazil international scored 26 goals in 95 appearances with Milan, where he played for two and a half years, from the summer of 2008 until January 2011.

Ronaldinho won the Champions League with Barcelona and the 2002 World Cup with the Brazil national team.