Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho is officially returning to competitive football at the age of 46. Italian club Ravenna have confirmed he will play against Forlì on November 15, marking his first competitive appearance in 11 years.
OFFICIAL: Ballon d’Or legend’s comeback date confirmed as he returns at 46
Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho is officially returning to competitive football at the age of 46, with Italian club Ravenna confirming the date of his incredible comeback after 11 years away from the professional game.
The former Barcelona and AC Milan superstar will return to the pitch on November 15, 2026, when Ravenna face local rivals Forlì in Italy’s Serie C.
The match will take place at the Stadio Bruno Benelli, with kick-off scheduled for 5:30 pm local time.
Remarkably, this will not be a charity match or a friendly between football legends. Ronaldinho is expected to play in an official league match.
The announcement has attracted attention from football fans around the world, with many excited about the chance to watch one of the sport’s greatest entertainers again.
Ravenna officially confirm Ronaldinho’s return
On Friday, October 23, Ravenna officially announced that Ronaldinho would return to competitive action next month.
The Italian club released a special video showing some of the Brazilian legend’s most memorable moments before confirming his comeback date.
The announcement included a simple but exciting message: “The return is real.”
Ravenna president Ignazio Cipriani also confirmed the news and expressed his excitement about bringing the former Ballon d’Or winner back onto the pitch.
According to ANSA, Cipriani explained that many people believed the idea was impossible when the club first discussed it.
However, Ravenna continued working on the project and eventually made the comeback possible.
The president confirmed that Ronaldinho would wear Ravenna’s yellow and red shirt during the important derby against Forlì.
The club hopes the special occasion will attract football supporters from around the world.
Ronaldinho returns after 11 years away
Ronaldinho last played a competitive professional match in 2015 during his time with Brazilian club Fluminense.
Although he officially announced his retirement in 2018, he has continued appearing in exhibition matches and special football events.
Now, at 46 years old, the 2005 Ballon d’Or winner is preparing to make his first competitive appearance in more than a decade.
The Brazilian legend enjoyed an extraordinary career, playing for clubs including Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, AC Milan, Flamengo and Atlético Mineiro.
He also helped Brazil win the 2002 World Cup and became one of the most popular players of his generation.
Known for his incredible dribbling, creativity and famous smile, Ronaldinho entertained millions of football fans throughout his career.
His return could give supporters another opportunity to watch the skills that made him a football icon.
Why Ronaldinho decided to join Ravenna
Ronaldinho’s connection with Ravenna began earlier in 2026 when the club announced his arrival in June.
According to Reuters, the Brazilian later acquired a stake in the Italian club, which is owned by his friend Ignazio Cipriani.
The project is about more than football. Ravenna hope Ronaldinho’s involvement will increase the club’s popularity and bring the local community closer to the team.
When Ronaldinho visited Italy in August, he did not confirm whether he would return to competitive action.
However, he made it clear that he wanted to support the club.
At the time, Ronaldinho told reporters: “I’m here to help.”
After several months of discussion, Ravenna have now confirmed the date of his first appearance.
Ronaldinho could reach another historic milestone
Another interesting part of Ronaldinho’s comeback is the possibility of reaching a special goalscoring milestone.
According to Reuters, the Brazilian legend has 299 career goals under the statistics used in its report.
This means Ronaldinho could score his 300th career goal if he finds the net during his return.
When he arrived in Italy earlier this year, Ronaldinho even suggested that scoring another goal was a possibility.
However, career goal totals can differ depending on which matches and competitions are included.
It is also important to note that Ravenna have not confirmed how many minutes Ronaldinho will play against Forlì.
Whether he scores or not, simply returning to an official league match at 46 would be a remarkable moment.
A special derby awaits Ronaldinho
Ronaldinho’s comeback will take place during one of Ravenna’s important local fixtures.
The club will face Forlì in the 14th round of the Serie C season.
Ravenna are competing near the top of Group B and hope to challenge for promotion to Serie B.
The arrival of a former World Cup winner and Ballon d’Or champion could make the derby one of the most watched matches in the club’s history.
The club has also confirmed that ticket information will be announced through its official channels.
However, it remains unclear whether Ronaldinho’s comeback will lead to more appearances later in the season.
Football fans prepare for Ronaldinho’s incredible comeback
Ronaldinho remains one of the most loved footballers in history, even years after his retirement.
His unique playing style, incredible skills and joyful personality helped him become a global superstar.
Now, 11 years after his last competitive appearance, the Brazilian legend is preparing to return to the football pitch at 46.
Ravenna have officially confirmed November 15 as the date, with the match against Forlì set to take place at the Stadio Bruno Benelli.
While questions remain about his playing time and possible future appearances, the announcement has already created excitement.
For millions of football fans who grew up watching Ronaldinho’s magic, November 15 could become a very special day.
The Brazilian legend is coming back, and football supporters will have another chance to see him in competitive action.
