Ravenna, August 20, 2026 – “I am very happy to be here in Ravenna with friends. We hope things go well for the team.” These are the first words of Ronaldinho about the new experience at Ravenna Football Club.
When asked about his condition and how much time he needs to get on the field, he responds with a laugh, then says “They are good” and president Ignazio Cipriani adds: “He is in shape, he is in shape.”
His best moment in Italy? “There have been many, but I think of the goal in the derby.”
Will he get on the field to score that 300th goal? “If it comes, it would be wonderful, but I am here to help the team do well.”
Will he play? “I don’t know – joking – it depends on the president and the coach.”
In Ravenna? “I just arrived but the welcome has been wonderful: people like football.” Returning to Italy? “It’s wonderful. Everyone shows me a lot of respect. It’s a pleasure to come back here.”
The greatest joy that could come? “Another goal in the derby,” he jokes. “If it comes it would be even more beautiful. I am here to excite and stimulate the other players to do their best, and to win if possible. That’s what I came here to do.”
Read more Belén Rodríguez falls from the horse Pongo at Albarella: «Guys, what a fall I took» / Video
These are the first words from the Brazilian champion, Ballon d’Or in 2005 and former star of Barcelona and Milan, just arrived in Ravenna.
The setting is the Monaldina, the villa of the family of Raul Gardini, whose nephew Ignazio Cipriani acquired Ravenna Football Club in 2024. And it is Cipriani who explains how he convinced ‘Dinho’ to join the Ravenna Fc project: “With friendship and passion. He also became passionate about the project and this operation served to bring the whole city closer to the team and create a fan base that has a lot of excitement for this new championship. He will also take shares of Ravenna.”
Braida: “Ronaldinho brought crazy enthusiasm to Ravenna”
The conclusion is entrusted to vice president Ariedo Braida, who jokes: “Don’t ask me questions. We have him, we have the magic of football. What more do we want in Ravenna? He brought crazy enthusiasm. What should we do? We must follow what he did in the past. It would be wonderful. But passion overwhelms all of us, having him here. A great champion would say that in a hypothetical ranking of the top five ever: fifth Cristiano Ronaldo, fourth Messi, third Maradona, second Pelé and first Ronaldinho ‘Gauchoo’.
The celebration for fans at Marina di Ravenna
Ronaldinho’s first meeting with the yellow-red people is scheduled for tonight on the beach of Marina di Ravenna.
