Ronaldinho returned to competitive football for the first time in more than 11 years, playing 45 minutes and helping Ravenna beat Forli 1-0 in the Italian third tier on Sunday.
The 46-year-old Brazilian, who won the 2005 Ballon d’Or, started the 14th-round derby at the Bruno Benelli Stadium on 22 November 2026. The match attracted unprecedented attention for the competition, with highlights of the game shown on a giant screen in New York’s Times Square.
Ronaldinho’s appearance came through Ravenna and followed his decision to step back into an official fixture more than a decade after his final professional outing for Fluminense on 26 September 2015. According to Opta, the gap between the two appearances was 11 years and 50 days, while he was aged 46 years and 239 days when he returned.
There had initially been doubts about whether the announcement was simply a promotional move designed to attract supporters. Those doubts disappeared when Ronaldinho walked on to the pitch to a huge ovation from the Bruno Benelli crowd.
Ravenna manager Andrea Mandorlini, the former Inter Milan coach, used him in a 4-3-3 formation as a nominal left winger. In practice, Ronaldinho operated behind the striker and between the lines, where he could use his movement and passing to influence attacks.
The original plan was for him to play for 30 minutes, but he remained on the field until half-time. He took time to settle, touching the ball for the first time in the sixth minute when he delivered a corner.
Ravenna were occasionally exposed defensively because Ronaldinho had limited defensive responsibilities, allowing Forli to find space during some attacks. However, his most significant contribution arrived in the 36th minute.
Ronaldinho helped create Ravenna’s opening goal with a pass in the build-up before the ball reached Donati. The midfielder struck a powerful low shot from outside the area which the Forli goalkeeper could not stop.
Donati, who has previously played for Inter Milan, Bayer Leverkusen, Monza and Lecce, became the scorer of the goal that secured a memorable victory. Ronaldinho celebrated enthusiastically with his team-mates as the home supporters responded to the moment.
His movement map showed him spending most of his time between the lines in a playmaking position behind the striker, with a notable presence in the attacking third. He generally held his position around the edges of the penalty area rather than repeatedly moving inside it.
Ronaldinho also delivered three corners, one of which created another dangerous opportunity when Donati rose to head the ball.
At half-time, he left the field to prolonged applause, receiving a special farewell from the crowd.
Former Milan and Brazil team-mates Dida and Serginho watched from the stands. Speaking to Sky Sport before kick-off, former Milan goalkeeper Dida said: “The atmosphere is wonderful. He deserves all this because he was an amazing player who was able to entertain us. Thanks to his passion for life, he was also an inspiration to us, his team-mates.”
Asked about Neymar’s description of Ronaldinho as the greatest showman in football history, Dida replied: “He is right! I think exactly the same.”
