Brazilian soccer legend Ronaldinho is poised to make a return to competitive football this Sunday.
The 46-year-old playmaker is scheduled to start for Ravenna in their match against local rivals Forli in Italy’s third division, according to Yahoo Sports.
This appearance marks his first professional start since leaving Brazilian side Fluminense in September 2015, as reported by BBC Sport.
Ravenna manager Andrea Mandorlini confirmed the decision on Friday, stating that the former Ballon d’Or winner will be deployed as one of three forwards.
“He will play from the start, there’s no doubt,” Mandorlini told reporters.
“Then together we will decide how long he plays,” he added.
Ronaldinho initially joined the Serie C club as an investor in August, but he expressed a desire to reach a career milestone of 300 goals.
Club owner Ignazio Cipriani emphasized that this return is not merely a promotional tactic.
“His objective is romantic, to try to score his last goal,” Cipriani stated earlier this year.
“His involvement is not a token gesture or a marketing stunt to get people talking about us,” he noted.
The Brazilian arrived in Italy on Friday and will participate in only one training session before the match.
To accommodate the expected surge in interest, a temporary stand has been constructed at the Stadio Bruno Benelli.
Fans are eager to witness the World Cup winner, who remains one of the most celebrated figures in modern football history, according to reports from the BBC.
Ravenna teammate Simone Rabbi confirmed that the veteran will handle penalty duties for the club.
Ravenna currently sits in second place in the league table after 13 matches.
The team remains focused on securing a result as they integrate the playmaker into their lineup.