Ravenna gains Ronaldinho as a shareholder and potential player, a move that has already translated into more than 2,700 season tickets and a burst of global attention.
The announcement landed late on 19 June, when the club revealed the signing at 10pm. Many treated it as a stunt, given that the Brazilian’s last official match came in 2015 for Fluminense and a Serie C contract at 46 sounded improbable. The shock gave way to scrutiny, debate and, eventually, fan excitement.
Ronaldinho arrived from Milan Linate, stepping down the stairs of a private jet at Forlì airport at 11.50am on Thursday in a floral shirt, Bermuda shorts and a flat cap. He completed the customary medical and took part in a short press conference at the Monaldina residence, where he spoke sparingly and smiled frequently.
“The Milan derby is the most beautiful memory of my previous Italian experience,” Ronaldinho said, then explained his motive for joining Ravenna. “Friendship and passion are the keys that brought me back here.” He outlined modest ambitions, saying he wants “to help, to excite the other players, and to have a spectacular season. To win, if possible.”
On the question of game time he was precise, “If a goal comes, my experience in Ravenna will become even more beautiful, but whether I will actually play will be decided by the president and the coach.” That responsibility falls to Ignazio Cipriani and head coach Andrea Mandorlini, who presented Ronaldinho with the No 10 shirt on arrival.
Ariedo Braida captured the mood, noting, “We have the magic of football in Ravenna, what more could we ask for?” Cipriani stressed the wider purpose, saying “Ronaldinho is in shape” and insisting the signing is more than visibility. “It’s not just about marketing, it’s not just international visibility. It is the chance to create a new enthusiasm around the club and the yellow-and-red jersey.”
The club staged a major presentation on the beach at Marina di Ravenna and set public celebration to full throttle. The owner has flagged an ambition to climb quickly to Serie B and ultimately the top flight, and the arrival has made the city a talking point around the world.
The season opens Monday in Reggio Emilia; Cipriani confirmed Ronaldinho will not take part in that away match. Fans hope the decision on his on-field role will come soon, and if he does play and score, the event would provide a fitting, symbolic coda for a player whose official career paused in 2015. For now the club has its headline, the city its spectacle, and the next moves rest with Ravenna’s leadership.
