RAVENNA, Italy — Brazilian football icon Ronaldinho has joined Ravenna’s first-team squad for a pre-match training session as he prepares to end an 11-year absence from competitive football in Sunday’s Serie C derby against Forlì.
The 46-year-old former Barcelona and AC Milan star took part in Ravenna’s final preparations at the Stadio Bruno Benelli on Saturday, November 14, one day before the club’s highly anticipated meeting with local rivals Forlì. The session marks his first training with the squad ahead of the promised appearance that has captured attention across the football world.
Ravenna confirmed ahead of his arrival that Ronaldinho would join the team’s Saturday morning training session, with the first 15 minutes open to accredited media before the remainder continued behind closed doors. The club’s announcement set out the preparations for the Romagna derby and confirmed that the Brazilian would be available to head coach Andrea Mandorlini. Ravenna FC’s official training and media schedule provided the details.
Sunday’s fixture, scheduled for November 15 at 5:30 p.m. local time at the Benelli stadium, is expected to be Ronaldinho’s first official competitive appearance since his spell with Brazilian side Fluminense in 2015. His return is therefore more than a ceremonial visit: the World Cup winner is set to wear Ravenna’s colours in a league match after more than a decade away from the professional game.
Mandorlini Confirms Ronaldinho’s Role
Ravenna manager Andrea Mandorlini has confirmed that Ronaldinho will be involved in the match, although reports about his starting role have varied. Reuters reported on Friday that Mandorlini expected him to start as one of the team’s three forwards, with the player and coach to assess how long he could remain on the pitch. Earlier comments reported by ANSA indicated that he could instead enter in the second half. The latest team decision will determine the precise plan.
Regardless of whether he starts or comes off the bench, the central attraction is the same: supporters will see one of the most recognisable players of his generation return to competitive action. Reuters’ report on his expected return detailed the coach’s plans and Ronaldinho’s hopes of scoring once more.
A Return Built Around One More Goal
Ronaldinho’s involvement with Ravenna began as part of a wider project led by club president and businessman Ignazio Cipriani. The Brazilian joined the club’s project during the close season and took a stake in the Italian side. His agreement to play an official match transformed what initially appeared to be an unusual football investment into an event attracting international interest.
One of the most intriguing storylines is the possibility of Ronaldinho reaching the 300-goal mark in his professional career. Reports say he is targeting one final goal, a fitting personal milestone for a player whose career was defined by creativity, improvisation and spectacular finishes. Ravenna forward Simone Rabbi has also said that Ronaldinho would take a penalty if the team is awarded one.
Ravenna’s ownership has presented the signing as part of an ambitious effort to raise the club’s profile and build a project capable of reaching higher levels of Italian football. Cipriani has spoken about aspirations that include promotion and eventually competing among the country’s leading sides. Ronaldinho’s global profile has already brought extraordinary attention to a club that ordinarily operates outside the spotlight of Europe’s biggest leagues.
Ravenna-Forlì Becomes An International Event
The excitement surrounding the Brazilian has extended well beyond the local derby. ANSA reported that the Stadio Benelli was expected to sell out, with a temporary stand adding 1,800 seats and increasing the stadium’s capacity to approximately 7,000. More than 100 media accreditation requests had reportedly arrived from journalists and photographers in several countries.
The match is also important to Ravenna’s season. The club is competing near the top of its Serie C group and remains focused on the promotion race. Mandorlini has stressed that the attention surrounding Ronaldinho must not distract the squad from the result they need against Forlì. The occasion may be historic, but the points on offer remain vital.
ANSA’s report on the growing excitement in Ravenna describes the scale of preparations, the international media interest and the significance of the derby for the club.
For fans who remember Ronaldinho at his peak with Barcelona, AC Milan and Brazil, Sunday offers a rare opportunity to see him in an official match again. His return is unlikely to recreate the speed and influence of his prime years, but the occasion carries emotional value for supporters and gives Ravenna an extraordinary moment of global visibility.
After years away from competitive football, the football world will be watching to see how much magic the Brazilian still has to offer — and whether his return to the pitch ends with the goal he hopes will complete his remarkable career tally.
Match: Ravenna vs Forlì
Competition: Italian Serie C
Date: Sunday, November 15, 2026
Kick-off: 5:30 p.m. local time
Venue: Stadio Bruno Benelli, Ravenna