Ammon News - Brazil great Ronaldinho will return to competitive football next month when he plays ​for Italian third-tier side Ravenna against ‌local rivals Forli on November 15, the Serie C club announced on Friday.

The 46-year-old former Barcelona ​and AC Milan forward, who won ​the 2002 World Cup with Brazil and ⁠the Ballon d'Or in 2005, last played ​competitively for Brazilian club Fluminense in 2015. ​He officially retired in 2018.

Ravenna signed Ronaldinho in June and he later acquired a stake in the ​club, which is owned by his friend ​Ignazio Cipriani.

Cipriani said the move was intended "to bring the ‌whole ⁠city closer to the team".

Ronaldinho stopped short of confirming he would play when he arrived in Italy in August, although he ​left open ​the prospect ⁠of scoring the 300th goal of his career.

"I'm here to help," ​he said at the time.

The derby ​against ⁠Forli will take place at Ravenna's Stadio Bruno Benelli. Ravenna sit second in Serie ⁠C ​Group B with 20 points ​from 10 games, eight behind leaders Spezia.


Reuters