Brazilian football icon Ronaldinho is reportedly set to come out of retirement at the age of 46 to sign for Italian third-tier club Ravenna, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.
The former World Cup winner and Ballon d’Or recipient is said to be finalising a deal in Miami on Tuesday; a source close to the negotiations confirmed the development to AFP.
“I can’t wait to get back dancing with the ball again and to write a new story with Ignazio Cipriani and his entire family,” Gazzetta dello Sport quoted Ronaldinho.
“Football has always been a source of joy for me. I want to bring the same spirit to Ravenna,” the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star added.
However, Ravenna vice-president Ariedo Braida struck a more cautious tone, suggesting the move may be largely symbolic and commercially driven rather than sporting.
“He’s a magical player, who will have his registration; that’s a huge coup for us,” Braida told Italian media.
“Will he play at 46? That depends, but he’ll be registered.”
Ronaldinho has not played professional football since a brief two-month spell at Fluminense in 2015, bringing an end to a glittering career that included a World Cup triumph with Brazil and a Champions League title with Barcelona.
