Ravenna confirm date for Ronaldinho’s return to the pitch: ‘It’s real’

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JUNE 19: Ronaldinho attends the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C match between Brazil and Haiti at Philadelphia Stadium on June 19, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Ravenna President Ignazio Cipriani confirms Brazilian legend Ronaldinho will take part in a Serie C match against Forlì on November 15: ‘The return is real.’

Former Milan and Barcelona star Ronaldinho will return to the pitch for a competitive match on November 15, 2026.

The former Brazil international will feature in a derby between Ravenna and Forlì in Italy’s Serie C, the country’s third division.

Official: Ronaldinho’s return date revealed

“The Magic never left; now it’s time to bring him back onto the pitch. The return is real,” Ravenna President Ignazio Cipriani said in a statement via Ansa.

“They told us it was impossible. On November 15, Ronaldinho will take the pitch at Stadio Benelli in our shirt, and in a match as important as the derby against Forlì.

“We believed in it from day one and, thanks to the passion and work of our whole team, we turned an idea that seemed impossible into an occasion the entire world now awaits.”

Ravenna confirmed Ronaldinho’s signing at an event in Miami this past June.

The former Brazilian star hasn’t yet trained with the team, but, as Corriere della Sera reported, he has been watching their games, and his brother and agent, Roberto De Assis, was spotted at Ravenna’s stadium at the end of September.

It’s still unclear how many minutes Ronaldinho will play, but his return to action has now been confirmed.

The 46-year-old last played a competitive match over 10 years ago, with Fluminense in 2015.