Football Legend Ronaldinho To Come Out Of Retirement For Ravenna’s Derby Clash

The former Barcelona and AC Milan star is expected to play on Sunday, November 15, at the Bruno Benelli Stadium, in an appearance that the club believes will attract considerable international attention.

According to Bush Radio Academy, Ravenna confirmed the date in a statement released on Saturday, months after first announcing in June that the 2002 FIFA World Cup winner would join the club.

The club described the occasion as a major event, expressing excitement about the prospect of welcoming the Brazilian icon onto the pitch in Ravenna colours for the local derby.

Ronaldinho, who won the prestigious Ballon d’Or in 2005, retired from professional football in 2015 after an illustrious career that included spells with leading European clubs such as Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona and AC Milan.

Widely celebrated for his exceptional dribbling skills, creativity and flair, the Brazilian remains one of the most recognisable figures in modern football. His planned appearance for Ravenna represents an unusual return to competitive action for a player who stepped away from professional football more than 10 years ago.

Beyond his anticipated role on the pitch, Ronaldinho is also a shareholder in Ravenna, giving him a connection to the club beyond his status as a global football celebrity.

His return is also expected to generate excitement around his reported ambition to reach the milestone of 300 career goals, although it remains to be seen how much playing time he will receive during the encounter.

Ravenna currently occupy second place in Group B of Italy’s third division, six points behind league leaders Spezia. The club are working towards securing promotion to Serie B for the first time since 2008.

Ronaldinho’s planned appearance could provide a significant boost to the club’s profile as it pursues its promotion ambitions, with supporters eagerly anticipating the chance to see the Brazilian legend back in action.