NEWS
Coach confirms start: Ronaldinho makes professional comeback
The Brazilian superstar returns to the pitch this Sunday. The magician is set to make his comeback in a derby, of all fixtures.
Brazilian football icon Ronaldinho is returning to professional football.
As previously announced in the summer, the 46-year-old will lace up his boots once again for Italian third-tier side Ravenna Calcio. In Sunday's derby against local rivals Forli FC, the Brazilian is expected to make the difference. Contrary to expectations, Ronaldinho will not just make a brief cameo appearance.
"He will play from the first minute," announced Ravenna coach Andrea Mandorlini. Ravenna currently sit second in Group B of Serie C, occupying a promotion spot.
Additional stand erected
The 2002 World Cup winner played his last professional match to date in September 2015 for Fluminense in Brazil. His return to the pitch is also down to Ravenna president Ignazio Cipriani, an Italian entrepreneur.
Cipriani enjoys a close relationship with Ronaldinho and convinced him to play. Whether the 46-year-old will make further appearances remains unclear.
What is certain is that Ronaldinho will celebrate his comeback in front of a sell-out crowd: an additional stand holding around 1,800 seats was even erected for the clash, meaning around 12,000 spectators can now be accommodated at the Stadio Bruno Benelli.
