Ronaldinho poised for Ravenna start — and perhaps one last goal

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ExpandRonaldinho poses as he is presented as a new player for Ravenna FC in August. File picture: Reuters/Ciro De Luca Ronaldinho will roll back the years this weekend when the 46-year-old Brazilian great starts his first competitive match in more than a decade, and in the unlikely setting of an Italian third-tier derby the World Cup winner may realise his dream of scoring one last time.

The Ballon d’Or winner signed for Ravenna in June, also taking a stake in the club, but because he had not played since his final appearance for Fluminense in 2015, doubts remained over whether fans would ever see him in action.

Ravenna revealed three weeks ago that the former Barcelona and AC Milan star player would make his return in today’s home clash with local rivals Forli, and on Friday, manager Andrea Mandorlini told reporters Ronaldinho would start the match.

“He will play from the start, there’s no doubt,” he said. “Then together we will decide how long he plays.

“He is one of the greatest players of the modern era. And we have to get a result. We always play with three forwards. He will be one of the three.”

Who knows if I’ll be able to repeat that feat tomorrow … Returning to the pitch at 46 is the best move of my career

Ronaldinho was welcomed by the Ravenna fans in August, without committing to a return to the pitch. He returned to Italy on Friday afternoon, having just one training session with his teammates yesterday before possibly making his club debut.

A temporary stand has been erected at the Stadio Bruno Benelli to cater for the crowd, and if this does turn out to be one last hurrah for Ronaldinho, he may well get the chance to score his 300th professional goal.

“I scored my first Italian goal in the derby,” Ronaldinho told Corriere della Sera, referring to his first official goal for AC Milan, which came against Inter Milan.

“It was a special evening that will remain in the memory of all AC Milan fans. It was September 28, 2008. I scored with a header, which is not my speciality. Who knows if I’ll be able to repeat that feat tomorrow … Returning to the pitch at 46 is the best move of my career.”

Simone Rabbi will play alongside the Brazilian for Ravenna, and in Friday’s press conference he said if his side were awarded a penalty on today, Ronaldinho would take the spot kick.

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