Ronaldinho, 46, signs with Serie C club Ravenna for comeback appearance

Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho has arrived in Italy to finalize a surprise comeback with third-tier club Ravenna at the age of 46, more than a decade after his last competitive match. The former Barcelona and AC Milan star landed near Ravenna on Wednesday and is set for an official presentation on Friday, August 21, before participating in promotional events and committing to play in at least one Serie C league match.

Ravenna's owner, Ignazio Cipriani, confirmed that Ronaldinho will feature in a home game, though the specific date is not yet known. He will not play in the club's season opener against Reggiana on Monday. Cipriani stated the arrangement is a genuine sporting endeavor and not a marketing exercise, emphasizing that Ronaldinho has also become a shareholder in the club as part of an ownership group led by the Cipriani family, known for its luxury hospitality business.

"Ronaldinho will become a shareholder in Ravenna FC, that is the central point of the operation," Cipriani said. "He has also chosen to make an extraordinary gift to the city and to his new club, he will take to the pitch for Ravenna in an official professional match, with one clear and romantic...