Former Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldinho has come out of retirement at age 46 to sign a professional contract with Italian third-division club Ravenna FC 1913.
The 2002 World Cup winner landed at Forli airport by private jet on Thursday, August 20, 2026, ahead of an official unveiling ceremony scheduled for Thursday evening on a local beach.
Dozens of journalists and camera crews greeted the Brazilian superstar upon his arrival in the Romagna region. Event organizers expect between 5,000 and 6,000 spectators to gather for the evening presentation.
Ronaldinho had been retired from professional football since 2015, ending an 11-year absence from competitive play. Speaking about his decision to return to the pitch, Ronaldinho said his objective is to score his final goal as a professional while wearing the Ravenna jersey.
During his peak playing years, the Brazilian playmaker established a reputation as one of the most gifted footballers of his generation. He won the Ballon d'Or in 2005 during a famous spell at FC Barcelona, having previously played for Paris Saint-Germain before later joining AC Milan.
Commercial Ambitions and Financial Troubles
Beyond his return to competitive action, the move represents a major commercial strategy to relaunch his personal brand, R10. Under the agreement with Ravenna FC 1913, the R10 brand is set to serve as the official kit supplier for the Italian third-tier club.
Ravenna FC 1913 president Ignazio Cipriani said Ronaldinho wants to launch his R10 brand in the style of American basketball icon Michael Jordan.
The commercial venture comes after years of financial problems and legal proceedings following the end of his original playing career. Ronaldinho faced prosecution over unpaid tax debts, which previously led authorities to confiscate his passport.
In one high-profile incident, the former Barcelona star spent a month in a Paraguayan prison after entering the country using fake identity documents.
European Football News and Incidents
In French domestic football, authorities have classified the opening-day match between Toulouse FC and Olympique Lyonnais as a high-risk fixture. Security will be reinforced for the Ligue 1 clash, with visiting Lyon supporters traveling under police escort and pyrotechnics strictly banned inside the stadium.
In Germany, 23-year-old German international midfielder Jamal Musiala revealed he suffers from a neurological dysfunction. The announcement followed an incident where the player fainted on the pitch for a second time during a match.
Musiala plays his club football for Bayern Munich, where he has emerged as one of the top young attacking talents in European football.
In France, former international defender Robert Mouynet has died in Toulouse at the age of 96. Mouynet was the last surviving member of the French national squad that finished third at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden.
In England, police have opened an investigation after an unresponsive body was discovered inside the stadium of London club Charlton Athletic. Emergency services attended the site, and inquiries into the death remain ongoing.
World Cup Promotion and Public Reactions
Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, organizers have mobilized lookalikes of Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, and Vinicius Junior to rally support for the Brazil national team before the tournament gets underway.
The promotional initiative comes as lookalikes continue to draw public attention, including a recent incident in Rouen, France, where a Ronaldinho double startled passers-by on local streets. The impersonator said that being recognized and mistaken for the Brazilian legend had become a regular part of his life.
