BRAZIL · FOOTBALL
Key Facts
- —What is happening Ravenna, an Italian third-division club, announced on Friday, 23 October that Brazil’s Ronaldinho will play in the derby against Forlì on Sunday, 15 November.
- —Why it matters The 2005 Ballon d’Or winner, now 46, has not played an official match since 2015, and the club says he will wear its shirt.
- —The numbers Kick-off is 17:30 at the Stadio Benelli, 23 days after the announcement. The league calendar had already set the derby for that weekend.
- —Who is who Ronaldinho won the 2002 World Cup with Brazil; Ignazio Cipriani is Ravenna’s owner; Forlì is the neighbouring Romagna rival in Serie C, Group B.
- —What to watch Ravenna has not said how many minutes he will play. Ticket sales details are due in the coming weeks.
- —Power Index Brazil ranks 1st of 14 in The Rio Times Latin America Power Index, with 75.0 points (October 2026 edition).
- —What it means for you US football fans get a rare chance to see a former Barcelona and AC Milan star play competitively, though the club has announced no US broadcast.
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Ravenna, an Italian third-division club, says Ronaldinho will play in its 15 November derby. It would be his first official match since 2015.
The Ronaldinho Ravenna return is set: the 2005 Ballon d’Or winner will play for the Italian club on Sunday, 15 November. It is a local derby, and the club announced it on Friday, 23 October, Il Resto del Carlino reported.
The Brazilian, 46, last played an official match in 2015, according to Agência Brasil. The story belongs to Brazil as much as to Italy, because Ronaldinho remains one of the country’s best-known sportsmen.
What Ravenna Announced on Friday
Club owner Ignazio Cipriani made the announcement on Friday afternoon, in a video on social media, Il Resto del Carlino reported. He said Ronaldinho will play the derby against Forlì in Ravenna’s shirt.
Cipriani called him the first Ballon d’Or winner to wear Ravenna’s shirt. The newspaper said Mayor Barattoni had spoiled the news earlier at the Fattore R economic forum in Rimini.
The match is on Sunday, 15 November, with kick-off at 17:30 at the Stadio Bruno Benelli in Ravenna, the paper said. It added that it is the 103rd derby in Ravenna’s history against Forlì, a club from the same Romagna region.
Agência Brasil quoted the club’s announcement: “A magia nunca foi embora,” meaning the magic never left. The agency said the club added that it was time to take it back onto the pitch.
How a Retired Star Ended Up in Serie C
Ronaldinho Gaúcho won the 2002 World Cup with Brazil and played for Barcelona and AC Milan, Agência Brasil reported. It says his last official match was for Fluminense in 2015 and that he retired officially in 2018.
Unione Sarda alone reported on 23 June that Ravenna announced his arrival at an event in Miami. Sky TG24 said he became a club partner and that the club wants him to play one official Serie C match.
Cipriani told Sky TG24 that Ronaldinho would play with a romantic aim, to try to score the last goal of his career. Agência Brasil adds that Ronaldinho later bought a stake in the club, a detail not confirmed elsewhere.
Thousands of fans watched his presentation at a beachside ceremony in Ravenna on Thursday, 20 August, Ahram Online reported. Asked when he might play, he said it depended on the president and the coach.
The Derby, the Tickets and the Stadium
Ravenna has called the match a “giornata giallorossa”, a day in the club’s yellow and red colours. Season tickets are not valid for it, Il Resto del Carlino reported.
The club has about 2,800 season-ticket holders, who get first right to buy, the paper said. Roughly 1,500 tickets could theoretically go on free sale, and how to buy them will be announced in the coming weeks.
Part of the stadium’s distinti stand is under construction, the paper noted. Ticket prices, the stadium’s total capacity and the sale date were not stated.
TuttoMercatoWeb’s table of 11 October showed Ravenna second in Serie C Group B with 20 points, behind Spezia on 25. It showed Forlì eleventh with 10 points.
What It Means for US Readers
For US fans, this is a novelty with a North American link: the June announcement was staged in Miami, Unione Sarda reported. Ronaldinho also played for AC Milan against the Montreal Impact in 2010, as the file cover photo shows.
This is a curiosity for football fans, not a market or policy story. No US broadcaster or stream has been named for the match in the sources reviewed.
For more on Brazilian football, see the Rio Times guide to the Brasileirão title race. The Rio Times guide to key Brazilian figures covers other national icons.
What Is Not Known
Ravenna has not said whether Ronaldinho will start the match or come on as a substitute. It has not said how long he will play.
The club’s own announcement and video were not viewed directly, and the Miami event rests on one outlet. The details here come from Il Resto del Carlino and Agência Brasil, which agree on the date.
Reports describe his role differently, as a partner, a shareholder and, in one photo caption, a technical coach. His exact stake in the club is not confirmed.
Ravenna’s league position after 11 October is not confirmed. Agência Brasil’s count of 20 points from 10 matches differs from the table, which showed a game in hand.
What Comes Next
Ticket sale rules are due in the coming weeks, according to the club, and Ravenna plays several league matches before the derby. The match itself is on Sunday, 15 November at 17:30 local time.
The club’s plan is for at least one official appearance. It has not said whether he will play again after the derby.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will Ronaldinho play for Ravenna?
Ravenna says he will play in the derby against Forlì on Sunday, 15 November, at 17:30 at the Stadio Benelli. The club announced it on Friday, 23 October.
How old is Ronaldinho?
He is 46, according to Agência Brasil and Sky TG24. His last official match was for Fluminense in 2015.
What league is Ravenna in?
Ravenna plays in Serie C, Group B, the third tier of Italian football. Forlì plays in the same group.
Will the match be shown in the United States?
No US broadcaster has been named in the sources reviewed. Ravenna has not announced one.
Is Ronaldinho a Ravenna owner?
Sky TG24 calls him a partner of the club, and Agência Brasil says he bought a stake. The size of any stake has not been confirmed.
Sources: Il Resto del Carlino, Ravenna, 23 October; Agência Brasil, 24 October; Sky TG24, 20 August; Ahram Online, 20 August; Unione Sarda, 23 June; TuttoMercatoWeb, 11 October (all accessed 24 October 2026).
Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief · Editorial standards · Report an error