Ronaldinho Ravenna: Back After 11 Years in 2-0 Win

Ronaldinho is back. The Ronaldinho Ravenna debut took place on Sunday 15 November 2026, when the 46-year-old started for Italian third-tier side Ravenna in their Serie C derby against Forlì. He played 45 minutes, helped set up the opening goal, and left the pitch to a standing ovation. Ravenna won the game 2-0.

Last updated: November 2026

Quick Answer

• Ronaldinho Ravenna debut: Sunday 15 November 2026, against Forlì at the Stadio Bruno Benelli.
• Result: Ravenna 2-0 Forlì, in Serie C Group B, round 14.
• Scorers: Giulio Donati in the 36th minute and Simone Rabbi in the 58th.
• Ronaldinho played 45 minutes, made 28 touches and was involved in the build-up to Donati’s opener.
• It was his first competitive match since September 2015, when he last played for Fluminense.
• Whether he plays again is not yet decided.

Ronaldinho Ravenna: The Match

The Ronaldinho Ravenna move paid off in the 36th minute. Ronaldinho received the ball through the middle and passed it to Lorenzo Lonardi. Lonardi then set up Giulio Donati, and the former Monza and Inter defender finished with a superb strike from outside the box. Ronaldinho joined his teammates in the celebration.

Simone Rabbi made it 2-0 in the 58th minute, after the break. Ravenna saw out the win over their local rivals. The result kept them second in Serie C Group B. Forlì, from the neighbouring city, sit 14th in the table.

The match was the 14th round of Serie C, Group B. A temporary stand had been put up at the Stadio Bruno Benelli to hold the crowd. The ground was packed for the occasion, and the home fans gave Ronaldinho a huge reception before kick-off.

Ronaldinho’s 45 Minutes

The Ronaldinho Ravenna cameo lasted exactly 45 minutes. Manager Andrea Mandorlini started him as one of three forwards. He played the whole first half and was taken off at the break. As he left the pitch, the crowd rose to its feet.

His numbers were solid for a 46-year-old playing his first competitive game in 11 years. He made 28 touches. He completed 17 of his 21 passes, an 81 per cent success rate. Four of those passes went into the final third. He took three corners. He also recorded one key pass and a Sofascore rating of 7.0.

In addition, he nearly grabbed an assist from a corner. His pinpoint cross was headed against the Forlì crossbar. Overall, he played mostly as a left-sided creator, keeping the ball moving rather than running with it. That is a long way from the explosive dribbling of his prime. However, the touch and the vision were still there for all to see.

At half-time, he stayed on the pitch with two fellow Brazilians and former Milan players, Dida and Serginho. The three of them took in the applause together. Afterwards, he spoke to Sky Sport Italia. “It went by too fast, that has always been football for me,” he said. He also called football “the most wonderful thing in my life”.

How the Comeback Happened

The Ronaldinho Ravenna deal was announced on 19 June 2026. Ravenna said the Brazilian would join the club in a surprise move. He signed a player-investor contract in August. The club unveiled him in Miami, then presented him to around 6,000 fans at a beachside event in Marina di Ravenna.

He had not played a competitive match since September 2015. His last professional game was for Fluminense in Brazil. He retired in 2018. That made Sunday’s game his first in more than 11 years.

Mandorlini confirmed on Friday that Ronaldinho would start. He returned to Italy on Friday afternoon. He had just one training session with his teammates, on Saturday, before the match. The manager kept his word, and the 46-year-old led the line from the first whistle.

Ravenna revealed the plan three weeks before the game. The club knew the debut would be a big event. The temporary stand and the crowd showed they were right.

Who Are Ravenna?

Ravenna play in Serie C, the third tier of Italian football. The club was founded in 1913. It is based in the Emilia-Romagna city better known for its Byzantine mosaics and Adriatic beaches.

The club is run by Ignazio Cipriani, of the Cipriani restaurant brand. That name is on the front of the team’s shirts. The coach is Andrea Mandorlini, a Ravenna native. He was a defender for Inter and won the Scudetto in 1989.

In fact, Ravenna make no secret of their ambition to reach Serie B. They are second in their group and in the race. Sunday’s win kept them there. Forlì are their local rivals, from a city a short drive away.

Who Is Ronaldinho?

Ronaldinho is one of the most loved footballers of his generation. He won the World Cup with Brazil in 2002. He won the Ballon d’Or in 2005. He played for Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona and AC Milan, and he is famous for his smile, his tricks and his free kicks.

He won the Ballon d’Or in the same era as the greats of the game. For the full list of winners, read our guide to who has won the most Ballon d’Or awards. His free kicks were among the best in the world. For more on that skill, read our guide to the best free-kick player in the world. His dribbling made the nutmeg famous again. For what that skill is, read our guide on what a nutmeg in football is.

His last club as a professional was Fluminense in Brazil. He left in 2015. He announced his retirement in 2018. Since then, he has played in exhibition games and charity matches. Sunday was different. This was a real league game, with points at stake.

What Happens Next

Whether Sunday was a one-off or the start of more games is not yet decided. Football Italia reported that the game “might not be the last” for the 46-year-old. Ronaldinho himself has not committed to anything more. He left the stadium during the second half, after taking his bow at the break.

Meanwhile, Ravenna will carry on their push for promotion. They are second in the group, and the season is long. The club got the occasion it wanted. The question is whether the player-investor will want another one.

For the full story of how the move came about, read our report on Ronaldinho signing for Ravenna. For the build-up to the debut, read our preview of Ronaldinho’s return for Ravenna.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old is Ronaldinho?

He is 46 years old. He was born on 21 March 1980 in Porto Alegre, Brazil.

When did Ronaldinho last play competitive football?

His last professional match before Sunday was in September 2015, for Fluminense in Brazil. He retired in 2018. That is a gap of more than 11 years.

Who did Ravenna play in Ronaldinho’s comeback game?

Forlì, their local rivals, in Serie C Group B, round 14. The game was played at the Stadio Bruno Benelli in Ravenna on Sunday 15 November 2026.

What was the score in Ravenna vs Forlì?

Ravenna won 2-0. Giulio Donati scored in the 36th minute and Simone Rabbi scored in the 58th minute.

Did Ronaldinho score or assist on his return?

He did not score, and he did not get an official assist. He was involved in the build-up to Donati’s opening goal. He passed to Lorenzo Lonardi, who set up Donati. He also nearly assisted from a corner, with a cross headed against the bar.

How did the Ronaldinho Ravenna debut go?

He started as one of three forwards and played 45 minutes. He made 28 touches, completed 17 of 21 passes, took three corners and earned a Sofascore rating of 7.0. He was taken off at half-time to a standing ovation.

The Bottom Line: The Ronaldinho Ravenna debut delivered exactly what the occasion promised. A 46-year-old legend played 45 minutes, helped set up the opener, and walked off to a standing ovation as his team won 2-0. Eleven years later, the magic is still there.