Ronaldinho reveals why he is ending 11-year retirement for Ravenna appearance

Ronaldinho will return to competitive football on Sunday when he starts for Ravenna against local rivals Forli in the Italian third tier, 11 years after retiring from the game.

Ravenna manager Andrea Mandorlini has confirmed that the former Brazil international will be in the starting line-up and is expected to play for about 30 minutes.

The match, scheduled for 15 November 2026, will mark Ronaldinho’s return to an official fixture. He says his friendship with Ravenna president Ignazio Cipriani, along with shared ambitions for the future, convinced him to accept the unusual opportunity.

“I am here because of the friendship between Ignazio Cipriani, the president of Ravenna, and me, and because of the goals we want to achieve in the future,” Ronaldinho told Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“I am here to experience something unique, special and different in my life. I think it will be an extraordinary day for the other players too, or at least I hope it will be.”

Ronaldinho arrived in Italy on Friday and had dinner with his new team-mates on Saturday evening. He is due to join them for his first training session with Ravenna on Saturday before the match against Forli.

“I want to make Ravenna’s supporters happy because of the great passion they have,” he said.

“I am happy to be able to return to the pitch after such a long time. I like the idea that I can make these new supporters happy – people who are now my fans.”

The 2005 Ballon d’Or winner previously played in Italy for AC Milan between 2008 and 2011. His first goal for the club came in a derby against Inter Milan, a moment he still remembers fondly.

“That was my first goal in Italy and it was a special one. I certainly have not forgotten it, especially because people remind me of it almost every time I return to Italy,” he said.

“My time at Milan was wonderful in every way – the people who welcomed me, the goals and the memories I experienced. The goals, the training sessions, the Milanello training centre, the derby goal, my team-mates and the victories. Milan will always represent a wonderful memory for me.”

Ronaldinho’s last official appearance came in 2015, when he played for Fluminense against Goias. His final match for AC Milan was in December 2010 against Roma.

He said the Ravenna fixture offered him an opportunity to bring happiness to supporters while beginning “a wonderful adventure”.

“I now have the chance to do something new in football again, which makes me happy, and also to give the fans a beautiful day as they enjoy the start of this wonderful adventure,” Ronaldinho added.

“All I hope is that we can all spend an enjoyable day together.”