Full Breakdown
Ronaldinho Signs with Ravenna FC, Becoming Club Shareholder
8/20/2026, 8:55:07 PM
Ownership and Shareholder Role
Former Brazil international Ronaldinho, 46, has joined Serie C side Ravenna FC as both a player and a shareholder. The move is facilitated by the club’s ownership group led by Ignazio Cipriani, whose family founded the historic Harry’s Bar in Venice. Cipriani’s involvement places the former Ballon d’Or winner at the centre of Ravenna’s strategic plan, signalling a blend of sporting ambition and commercial outreach.
Prospects of Playing in Season Opener
Ravenna plans to feature Ronaldinho in its upcoming season-opening match against Reggiana. The club hopes the 46-year-old will attempt to score his final professional goal. However, his fitness remains uncertain; he has not taken part in coach Andrea Mandorlini’s pre-season training. Ronaldinho’s last competitive appearance was for Fluminense in 2015, and his previous stint in Italian football ended after two-and-a-half seasons with Milan in 2010-11.
Official Statements
Ignazio Cipriani emphasized that the signing is not a publicity stunt. The club’s management has framed the event as a beach-festival launch on the Adriatic coast, expecting around six thousand fans.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This is not window dressing or a marketing stunt,” — Ignazio Cipriani
The announcement marks a rare return to professional football for a player who earned 97 caps for Brazil and won the 2002 World Cup. While the on-field impact remains to be seen, the partnership underscores Ravenna’s ambition to raise its profile both domestically and internationally.
