Dida: ‘Ronaldinho a showman and we are witnessing history here’

RAVENNA, ITALY - NOVEMBER 15: Ronaldinho of Ravenna warms up prior to the Serie C match between Ravenna and Forli at Stadio Comunale Bruno Benelli on November 15, 2026 in Ravenna, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)

Former Milan and Brazil goalkeeper Nelson Dida wanted to be there for Ronaldinho’s return to football at Ravenna. ‘We are witnessing history’ and he remains ‘a showman’ of football.

The 46-year-old has not played a competitive match since September 2015 for Fluminense, although he formally announced his retirement in 2018.

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After a series of exhibition and charity matches, Ronaldinho has been convinced to return to the field in today’s Serie C match between Ravenna and Forlì.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on our Liveblog, as Football Italia is there at the Stadio Benelli.

Dida joy at Ronaldinho return

“It’s incredible, after not playing for 11 years, to see all these people flocking here, I am so happy to have this opportunity. It’s history, we are here witnessing history,” Dida told Sky Sport Italia.

“It is unusual, and will be fantastic for him, because I would’ve loved to have an opportunity like this! He has always been a great guy, on and off the field, so he deserves this.”

Dida was teammates with Ronaldinho both at club level with Milan and in the Brazil national team, so knows him very well indeed.

“Ronaldinho was a showman, he did incredible things on the field, including a goal against me at San Siro. He played with joy, and I still see that today, his passion for football. The years go by for everyone, sadly, but we can still see something today,” continued the former goalkeeper.

“When he started at Gremio, we were young, but you could see his control of the ball, his improvisation, and I think all that stayed with him in every team he played. Things come easily to him that are impossible to the rest of us.

“When training sessions finished, he’d always want to stay back and practice some free kicks with me.”

Ravenna signed Ronaldinho to a short contract and it remains to be seen how many games he will play for the club, but the 46-year-old is in the starting XI for today’s local derby.