Ronaldinho, 46, Returns to Football in Italy's Third Division

Brazilian football icon Ronaldinho is making a surprising return to the sport at the age of 46, signing to play for Italian third-division club Ravenna.

The former Ballon d'Or winner, who last played professionally in September 2015, will join the Serie C team owned by Italian-American businessman Ignazio Cipriani. A source close to the deal confirmed the news, which was first reported by Gazzetta dello Sport. Ronaldinho is expected to be officially presented as a Ravenna player at an event in Miami on June 23.

Ronaldinho, a World Cup winner with Brazil in 2002, expressed his excitement about returning to the pitch. "Football has always been a source of joy for me, I want to bring the same spirit to Ravenna," he stated, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport. He aims to "dance with the ball again" and write a new chapter with Cipriani and the club.

However, Ravenna's vice-president, Ariedo Braida, tempered expectations regarding Ronaldinho's playing time. While acknowledging the signing as a significant marketing coup, Braida suggested that the extent of Ronaldinho's participation remains uncertain. "Will he play with 46 years? It depends, but let's say he will have his contract," Braida told LaPresse. "Will he play? It remains to be seen, one cannot rule it out. A champion like him is out of category and has no age."

Ravenna, which aims to return to Serie B after an absence since 2008, hopes Ronaldinho's presence will boost its profile and ambitions. The club has not played in Serie B since 2008.