Ravenna, August 20, 2026 – It is late evening on Friday, June 19, 2026, when the world of football – all focused on the American World Cup – does not know how to handle a sensational piece of news. A scoop that could easily be an out-of-season April Fool’s joke and that, at first, looks like a fantastic mistake, a fake, or a social media stunt.
Read more Today is Ronaldinho day, Marina di Ravenna is buzzing: “It will be a great party”
Ronaldinho, the Ballon d’Or and Brazilian superstar, at a ripe 46 years old, 11 years after his last professional match (in 2015 with Fluminense), has signed for Ravenna in Serie C. But it’s all true.
The news, released around 10 PM and echoed by all the media worldwide, immediately makes headlines around the globe, bouncing onto the front pages of newspapers on every continent.
Ignazio Cipriani, Ariedo Braida, and Lorenzo Tonetti: who is behind Ronaldinho’s arrival at Ravenna
In the ancient capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, people oscillate between pure ecstasy and a completely understandable scepticism. But behind the incredible operation is not an impromptu dreamer, but the thirty-eight-year-old Ignazio Cipriani, son of Giuseppe Cipriani, founder of the historic Harry’s Bar, and Eleonora Gardini, eldest daughter of entrepreneur Raul Gardini and Idina Ferruzzi.
Cipriani Jr is therefore the nephew of that Raul Gardini who, in the glorious 1990s, turned Ravenna volleyball into a legend by signing stars like Karch Kiraly and Steve Timmons.
President of Ravenna since 2024, alongside a giant of management like Ariedo Braida, he has shown from day one that he wants to do things on a grand scale, combining great sporting ambitions with international digital marketing.
A decisive role was also played by Lorenzo Tonetti, today responsible for Ravenna FC’s relations, former owner of the Giannino restaurant in Milan, a historic meeting point for managers, players, agents, and personalities of Italian football, and capable of cultivating the relationship with Dinho.
From disbelief to overwhelming excitement: Dinho appears everywhere
Disbelief soon gives way to overwhelming excitement. The city talks about nothing else. Will he really return to the pitch 11 years after his last official appearance? Vice President Braida fuels the magic and leaves the door open: “A champion has no age, seeing him registered at Ravenna will make everyone dream.”
Meanwhile, social media explode with enthusiasm and irony. Thanks to Artificial Intelligence and the famous Romagna imagination, Dinho appears everywhere, portrayed with a piadina in hand at downtown kiosks, on the beach at Marina di Ravenna, or in front of Byzantine mosaics.
New colors, the same smile. I can’t wait to dance on the ball again and bring joy to Ravenna
Presentation of the Ravenna project in Florida
From the virtual charm of Romagna, we move to the sparkling reality of Florida. On the night of Tuesday, June 23 (2 AM Wednesday, June 24 in Italy), the prestigious setting of Casa Cipriani and Cipriani Downtown Miami hosts the event of great occasions.
In partnership with Nike and in front of a crowd of over three hundred guests including Adriano Galliani and Alexandre Pato, the international debut of the Ravenna FC project takes place. The highlight coincides with the arrival of the champion: with his unmistakable and contagious thirty-two-toothed smile, Ronaldinho poses with the new number 10 jersey, a refined white shirt with golden finishes featuring the R10 brand alongside the club’s name. “New colors, the same smile. I can’t wait to dance on the ball again and bring joy to Ravenna,” says the Brazilian, confiding the dream of scoring the last goal of his career with the yellow-red colors.
The new collector’s jersey sold out in 48 hours
In the following days, the Dinho effect exceeds every commercial expectation. The new collector’s jersey, sold online for 129 euros, is completely sold out in just 48 hours, with thousands of orders coming from Europe, South America, Asia, and the United States.
The renovation of Benelli stadium
Meanwhile, in a Benelli stadium that has become inevitably obsolete, the first renovation works of the facility have begun, while coach Andrea Mandorlini confirms the intention to field him in official league matches.
The Serie A dream, a stadium with a hotel
Cipriani is already looking ahead, aiming for Serie A and even a new stadium with a hotel, while Ravenna eagerly awaits the team presentation today, August 20, to experience its summer fairy tale up close.
