Ronaldinho returns to competitive football after 11 years, set for Ravenna's Forli derby at 46
Brazilian legend Ronaldinho is returning to competitive football after a long gap of 11 years. He will play for Ravenna, a club in Italy's third-tier Serie C, in Sunday's derby match against Forli.
The 46-year-old star won the Ballon d'Or in 2005. Ravenna officials have formally published his preparation plan and a full three-day schedule for his comeback.
Under that schedule, Ronaldinho will join the team's main training session at Stadio Benelli at 11 am on Saturday.
Media representatives will be allowed to watch the first 15 minutes of the session; the rest will be held behind closed doors.
After training, Ravenna coach Andrea Mandorlini will make the final decision on whether Ronaldinho is included in the main squad for the Forli match.
The Ravenna-Forli match kicks off at 5:30 pm local time on Sunday. It will be broadcast live by the Sky television channel and the Now digital platform.
Ronaldinho last played a competitive match in 2015 for Brazilian club Fluminense. He formally announced the end of his playing career in 2018.
After the long break, this match offers him a unique opportunity. He has scored 299 goals in international and club football in his professional career; a goal on Sunday would take him to the 300-goal milestone.
