Ronaldinho returns to football with Italian third tier

Ronaldinho returned to football with the Italian third tier as he announced that he would make his playing return aged 46 next month for Ravenna, an Italian third-division club. This was announced on Saturday. The 2002 World Cup winner's move to Ravenna had been disclosed in June, and he aimed to score his 300th career goal. The former Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, and AC Milan playmaker had retired in 2015, ten years after winning the Ballon d'Or, and he became a shareholder in Ravenna, located between Venice and San Marino.

Ravenna stated, "The wait now has a date: Sunday, November 15." The Brazilian legend is set to wear the Ravenna FC shirt in the derby against Forli. This was described as "an event that will turn the eyes of the world toward the Bruno Benelli Stadium."

At the time of the announcement, Ravenna were placed second in Group B of the Italian third tier, six points behind leaders Spezia, and they were aiming for a return to Serie B for the first time since 2008.