Brazil great Ronaldinho is set to make his first competitive start in more than a decade when Ravenna face local rivals Forli in Italy’s third division on Sunday.
Return to Competitive Action
The former Barcelona and AC Milan playmaker, 46, is in line to make his first appearance for Ravenna since joining the Serie C club in August. His last competitive appearance came for Brazilian side Fluminense in September 2015.
Ravenna manager Andrea Mandorlini stated on Friday that Ronaldinho would start the match as one of his side’s three forwards. Mandorlini told reporters that he would play from the start without a doubt, and they would decide together how long he would stay on the pitch. He added that the Brazilian is one of the greatest players of the modern era, and the team needs to get a result.
Chasing a Final Milestone
Former Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldinho initially joined the Italian club as an investor in August, but mentioned that he had ambitions of scoring one final goal to take his career tally to 300. Club owner Ignazio Cipriani explained earlier this year that his objective is romantic in trying to score his last goal, and emphasized that his involvement is not a token gesture or a marketing stunt to get people talking about the club.
The Brazilian arrived in Italy on Friday and will have only one training session with his team-mates before Sunday’s match. A temporary stand has been created at Ravenna’s Stadio Bruno Benelli to accommodate the expected crowd, with supporters hoping to catch a glimpse of the World Cup winner in action for potentially the final time.
Ravenna forward Simone Rabbi stated that Ronaldinho will take any penalties awarded to Ravenna, who currently sit second in the table after 13 matches.
