Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho has landed in Italy as part of a high-profile, international expansion effort by Italian Serie C club Ravenna. The 46-year-old 2005 Ballon d’Or winner arrived at Forlì Airport from Milan to attend a beach presentation event hosted at Marina di Ravenna. The ceremony serves to introduce the squad for the upcoming 2026–27 season while showcasing Ronaldinho as a central figure in the club’s growing commercial strategy.
Beyond taking on a promotional role, the former Barcelona and AC Milan star is set to enter Ravenna’s corporate hierarchy as an official club partner. President Ignazio Cipriani confirmed that Ronaldinho will be officially registered as a player, with plans for him to feature in at least one competitive home league match this season in hopes of scoring a final career goal in front of the local supporters. The overarching project, backed by investment firm Black Duck AI, aims to combine data analytics, sports tech, and global marketing to modernise the club’s facilities and establish an international brand footprint.
Despite the sporadic rain, Thursday was called “Ronaldinho day” as the football icon was introduced to the media before a lavish beachside ceremony in front of around 6,000 fans, who waved flags and held flares aloft.
When asked how he was doing on Thursday, Ronaldinho responded, “I’m very happy to be here with my friends, but let’s wait and see if things go well with the team,” before responding to a question about when Ravenna supporters could anticipate seeing him on the field.He laughed and remarked, “I feel fine,” before continuing, “I don’t know, it depends on the president and coach.” I’m not sure.”
Ignazio Cipriani, president of Ravenna, has even disclosed the amorous aspirations underlying the return. Ronaldinho’s goal when he takes the field could be his last goal as a professional. Cipriani insisted that Ronaldinho being a shareholder is the main component of the business, saying, “This is not window dressing or a marketing stunt.”
There is already a lot of talk about the transfer in Ravenna. According to reports, almost 2,700 season tickets have been sold for the team’s Serie C campaign as a result of the “Ronaldinho effect.”
Under former Inter defender Andrea Mandorlini, Ravenna is getting ready for their next Serie C season after finishing third the previous year.
Ronaldinho won’t play in Ravenna’s opening Serie C game of the season on Monday at Reggio Emilia, and it’s still unknown how much he plans to play this season. But Cipriani has stated that he hopes the Brazilian will score his final goal for the team.Ronaldinho remarked, “If that happens, even better, no.” “I’ve come here because of the friendship we have, and that’s it, let’s wait and see how the team does … I’m here to help.”
Fluminense was Ronaldinho’s last professional team in 2015. After playing with AC Milan from 2008 to 2011, this is his second stint in Italy. He won the Ballon d’Or in 2005 and the World Cup with Brazil in 2002.
