Italian Cup: Ravenna Takes the Field, but Ronaldinho Is Missing—When Will the Brazilian Arrive (and What Will He Do)?

Ravenna took the field Sunday evening for the Coppa Italia against Benevento, but the name dominating the headlines is that of the big absentee: Ronaldinho. The Brazilian, whose involvement with the Romagna-based club was announced at the start of the summer, will not arrive before August 20—the date on which, according to local media reports, the team will most likely be officially presented at the “Benigno Zaccagnini” breakwater in Marina di Ravenna.

While awaiting official announcements from the club, the organizational machine is already in motion: anticipation for the star player is enormous, and the city is preparing for an unprecedented media event—at least for this division. It will also be an opportunity for Ravenna owner Ignazio Cipriani to provide definitive clarity on R10’s role, as he is even expected to take the field on one occasion—despite skepticism among experts regarding the physical condition of the 46-year-old from the Vila Nova neighborhood of Porto Alegre.

“Ronaldinho will also become a partner in the club, but he will be a player in every sense of the word,” Cipriani said in late June in an interview with ‘La Gazzetta dello Sport’. “His goal is to score the final goal of his career while wearing the Ravenna jersey. He’ll be with us at the team presentation and will play at least one game. When? It’s impossible to say at the moment, but it will certainly be a home game.”

Ronaldinho’s last professional match dates back to 2015, when he took the field for Fluminense before terminating his contract at the end of September to hang up his cleats. Previously, he played for Grêmio, Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, Milan, Flamengo, Atlético Mineiro, and Querétaro, winning the 2006 Champions League with Barça and the 2013 Libertadores with Galo.

His first stint in Italy, with Milan, lasted from the summer of 2008 to January 2011: the Brazilian made 11 appearances during the 2010–2011 Scudetto-winning season, but decided to leave the Rossoneri during the winter transfer window due to limited playing time and a poor rapport with then-coach Massimiliano Allegri. Ronaldinho was also one of the icons of the Brazilian national team: with the Seleção, he won a World Cup, a Copa América, and a Confederations Cup, in addition to various minor and youth tournaments.