Brazilian football star Ronaldinho has set the football world alight after declaring he wants to return to professional football at the age of 46 – 11 years after he last played competitively.
The 2005 Ballon d’Or winner has landed in Italy to take up his formal role at Serie C side Ravenna, in which he also has a stake.
Thousands of fans braved intermittent rain during a beachside team presentation ceremony in Marina di Ravenna to welcome the renowned playmaker, with some 6,000 supporters turning up to catch a sight of the 2002 World Cup winner.
There is still plenty of star power surrounding the former Barcelona and AC Milan great, even after a decade away from the professional game.
“I am happy that this move was motivated by a personal and romantic ambition,” Ronaldinho told the reporters at the event.
“I’m very happy to be here with my friends but let’s see how it goes with the team,” he remarked.
“I’m coming to inspire and get the other players excited so that we can have a spectacular season and hopefully win,” he said, adding that he wanted to support his new colleagues.
The big impetus behind this miraculous comeback is the search for his 300th career goal.
When asked about hitting the milestone Ronaldinho said: “If that happens it will be more beautiful”. Club president Ignazio Cipriani confirmed the ambition, saying Ronaldinho “will take to the pitch for Ravenna in an official professional match, with one clear and romantic aim, to try to score the final goal of his career”.
But there was doubt early on about whether the Brazilian would actually play, with vice-president Ariedo Braida claiming he would have a solely marketing function. Ronaldinho has settled the debate.
“I am going to get some minutes in an official game for sure, then we will see how I feel,” he confirmed.
He is vague about the specific timing, though, stating “I don’t know, that depends on the president, on the trainer”.
Fans won’t see the magic on the pitch just yet, as he won’t be in action for Ravenna’s Serie C opening against Reggiana on Monday.
Ronaldinho, who last played for Fluminense in 2015 before formally retiring in 2018, has remained in shape by playing exhibition matches and is anxious to return his happy spirit to the game.
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