Ronaldinho to Ravenna: Will he actually play, or is it just a marketing ploy? Coach Mandorlini responds
Ronaldinho has officially joined Ravenna, and the prospect of him taking the field in a professional league like Serie C at the not-so-young age of 46 (and after retiring 11 years ago) continues to spark debate. The soccer world—not just in Italy—continues to wonder whether the Romagna-based club’s move is merely a marketing ploy or, on the contrary, has anything to do with the actual transfer market. In the meantime, an answer has come from Andrea Mandorlini, who is set to be the Gaucho’s next coach.
“Ronaldinho at Ravenna is a marketing move, of course. But a brilliant one,” Mandorlini said in an interview with ‘L’Arena’. “With him on the team, we’re bound to return to the spotlight, but let’s not forget that we’re talking about a truly great champion. Having him with us is a huge pleasure; you’ll definitely see him on the field. Obviously, at this point I don’t know and can’t predict how many games he’ll play, but everyone’s already talking about it.”
Echoing the coach’s words was Ariedo Braida, vice president of the Romagna-based club and former executive at Milan and Barcelona, who, when interviewed by ANSA, did not rule out further surprises to come. “Ronaldinho is an ageless champion,” he explained. “He’ll be signed with Ravenna, and for a club like ours, this is an extraordinary coup. There will be a presentation event in the coming days.” And regarding his possible playing time, the Giallorossi executive further piqued curiosity: “We’ll see, but it’s not out of the question. A champion—and he’s a true star—is ageless.”
Ronaldinho himself commented on the transfer with the enthusiasm and lightheartedness that have always defined him. “New colors, same smile,” said the Brazilian. “I can’t wait to get back out there and dance with the ball to write a new chapter together with Ignazio and the entire Cipriani family. Soccer has always been a source of joy for me, and I want to bring that same spirit to Ravenna.” The deal was initiated and spearheaded by entrepreneur Ignazio Cipriani, the club’s owner, who described the signing as follows: “I spent 24 years of my life in the United States, but I still consider Ravenna my home. Signing Ronaldinho is something absolutely extraordinary for the club; he was my idol, and his impact on soccer goes far beyond what he achieved on the field.”
The official announcement of the transfer will be celebrated on June 23 in Miami during a special event at which the Romagna-based club’s new jersey will also be unveiled. The evening will also serve a charitable purpose: the club and the Cipriani family will make a donation to Street Soccer USA, an organization dedicated to promoting the athletic, social, and cultural development of young people and communities living in economically disadvantaged areas.
The announcement comes just a few days after the end of an exciting season for Ravenna, which finished third in Group B of last season’s Serie C—ahead of prestigious teams such as Ternana, Torres, and Ascoli—before being eliminated in the playoffs by Salernitana in the second round of the national phase. It was Mandorlini himself who led the Giallorossi on that journey, cementing his role as a central figure in the Romagna-based club’s project. The bond between the Ravenna-born coach and his hometown is now enriched by an entirely new chapter.
The move has inevitably divided public opinion into two opposing camps. On one side are those who see the signing of the 2005 Ballon d’Or winner as a symbol of a Serie C unable to invest in young players, preferring media attention to the development of talent. On the other, there are those who view the arrival of the Brazilian superstar as a necessary jolt for a league that in recent years has experienced bankruptcies, club crises, and a gradual loss of identity—and which now needs to regain visibility, sponsors, and fans. One thing, however, already seems certain: Ravenna is no longer just making headlines in Romagna.
