The Emilia-Romagna club has never known the elite. It is initially aiming for a return to Serie B, a division in which it has not played since 2008.
Ronaldinho will play on Sunday, November 15, in an Italian third-division match with Ravenna, a club of which he is a shareholder. Aged 46, the Brazilian will start in attack, coach Andrea Mandorlini announced.
The 2005 Ballon d'Or winner and 2002 world champion had not played an official match for eleven years. His last appearance dates back to September 2015, with the Brazilian club Fluminense.
"Returning to the pitch after so long is very beautiful; I am here to experience a special moment in my life,"Ronaldinho said."I am happy,"the 2005 Ballon d'Or winner insisted.
His appearance at training, where he arrived an hour and a half later than planned, showed that he still had talent. A right-foot control, leg stretched backward, ball stuck to his foot, went around social media.
An additional stand has been erected at Ravenna's stadium, which has a little more than 6,000 seats. Journalists from around the world have arrived to see the match.
For a third-division match, ticket prices have quadrupled. One must also count on 129 euros for the No. 10 jersey with Ronaldinho printed in gold letters.
Ravenna is currently second in Group B of the third-division championship, six points behind the leader, La Spezia.