Age is just a number! Ronaldinho returns to playing competitive football at 46

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Legendary Brazilian footballer Ronaldinho Gaucho is set to come out of retirement and get back to playing competitive football professionally for Italian club Ravenna, the home team of a city that is more famous for its nearby beaches than its soccer team.

On Thursday, the 46-year-old footballer was presented to the press before a beachside ceremony in front of around 6000 fans. During the presentation, the song “Hall of Fame” was played before the legendary player walked out.

The signing of Ronaldinho by the third-division club Ravenna comes as a surprise to the football fans. He will take the field after almost more than a decade after his retirement from the sport.

On his signing, the footballer expressed happiness by saying, “I’m very happy to be here with my friends, but let’s wait and see if things go well with the team”.

When asked about the timeline of his potential appearance, he said, “I feel fine. I don’t know, it depends on the president and coach. I don’t know”.

The Rio Grande do Sul-born footballer arrived by a private jet at the Forli Airport. He then signed a couple of soccer balls for airport staff before getting into the car on the runway.

He was accompanied by Ravenna President Ignazio Cipriani of the Cipriani restaurant brand. Ronaldinho will not feature in Ravenna’s first Serie C match of the season on Monday, at Reggio Emilia, and it is still unclear how much he hopes to play during the campaign. However, Cipriani has said it is his dream for the Brazilian to score his last career goal for the team.

“If that happens even better, no? I’ve come here because of the friendship we have, and that’s it, let’s wait and see how the team does. I’m here to help,” said Ronaldinho.

Ronaldinho Gaucho’s professional football career

Ronaldinho last played professionally for Fluminense in 2015. He even made his appearance for Barcelona from 2003 to 2008. Having played 145 matches, the Brazilian registered 70 goals for the club. It marks his second spell in Italy after featuring for AC Milan from 2008-11. He won the World Cup with Brazil in 2002 and the Ballon d’Or in 2005.

(With AP Inputs)

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