Ronaldinho is coming out of retirement: he'll debut for Ravenna in Italy's Serie C at 46

More than ten years after hanging up his boots, Ronaldinho is about to step onto a soccer field again in an official capacity. And not in an exhibition or a charity match: in Italy's Serie C, the country's third division, with Ravenna.

The club announced on Friday that the Brazilian, 46 years old, will make his debut on November 15 in the derby against Forlì, at the Stadio Bruno Benelli. The news seemed almost like a joke when his signing was confirmed back in June, but now it has a concrete date.

Ronaldinho signed with Ravenna in a move as surprising as it was eye catching, though he hadn't logged a single minute with the team until now. His last match as a professional came in 2015 with Fluminense, so we're talking about a long absence from the field. The club itself didn't downplay the magnitude of the moment in its statement:

"An event that will make the entire world look toward the Stadio Bruno Benelli," Ravenna wrote, adding that "everyone in the soccer world thought it was too good to be true, but now we can officially confirm a great comeback: the return of magic, of the smile, and of a talent that has captivated generations of fans, no matter which colors they support."

A dream with a name on it

Behind this story is Ignazio Cipriani, of the Cipriani restaurant brand, who runs the club and makes no secret of his excitement: his wish is for the Brazilian to score the final goal of his career wearing none other than the Ravenna jersey.

The presentation to the fans had already been a spectacle in its own right. In August, ahead of the start of the season, Ronaldinho was welcomed in a ceremony by the sea, in Marina di Ravenna. The club recalled it this way:

"From the announcement in Miami... to the warm welcome from fans on the beach at Marina di Ravenna, anticipation has kept building, fueled by a mix of excitement, curiosity and disbelief. President Cipriani's vision, which sparked the imagination of fans and stirred debate well beyond Italy's borders, now has a concrete date. Ronaldinho will play at the Benelli, opening a new chapter in a story that keeps surprising everyone."Ravenna

For those who followed his career, this return carries special meaning: he had already worn an Italian jersey between 2008 and 2011, when he played for AC Milan. That stint adds to his time at Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona, along with a career with the Brazilian national team that included the 2002 World Cup and the Ballon d'Or in 2005.

The club also wanted to explain why this signing goes beyond the sporting side:

"There are players remembered for what they've won, and others also remembered for how they made people feel. Ronaldinho belongs to that rare breed of champions capable of turning soccer into pure joy: through an unexpected move, a flash of creativity, a smile that has united stadiums and generations alike."Ravenna

Meanwhile, the team keeps focused on the competition: it sits second in its group of Serie C, which is split geographically into three zones. But let's be honest, right now all eyes are on just one date. As the club itself closed in its statement: "The wait is almost over. The magic is back on the field."