Ronaldinho has officially touched down in Italy

Ronaldinho has officially touched down in Italy as he prepares to end his retirement and begin an unexpected new chapter with Ravenna. The 46‑year‑old Brazilian icon arrived at Forlì airport on Thursday, greeted by club staff and fans as he gets set for his presentation with the Serie C side. His comeback, announced in June, forms part of Ravenna’s ambitious commercial strategy aimed at boosting visibility and accelerating the club’s growth.

The club shared footage of Ronaldinho’s arrival, with the former Ballon d’Or winner flashing his trademark shaka gesture while stepping into Emilia‑Romagna. His move is closely tied to his relationship with club president Ignazio Cipriani, whose family owns the renowned Cipriani restaurant empire. Cipriani purchased Ravenna FC in 2024 as a hometown passion project, and Ronaldinho’s signing is intended to spearhead the team’s season launch and elevate its profile.