Ronaldinho will make his long-awaited Ravenna debut in the Serie C derby against Forlì on November 15, but who exactly are the club bringing the 46-year-old Brazilian back to competitive football?
According to the club’s announcement, the former Ballon d’Or winner will take to the field at the Stadio Bruno Benelli at 17:30 local time. It will be his first competitive match since leaving Fluminense in 2015. Ravenna announced his signing in June, unveiled him in Miami, and then presented him to around 6,000 fans at a beachside event in Marina di Ravenna in August.
Ronaldinho also holds a minority stake in the club. According to Goal, the dream is for him to score the final goal of his career at the Benelli, while also launching his R10 brand. A limited-edition Ravenna x Ronaldinho shirt is on sale for €129.
Who are Ravenna?
Founded in 1913, they are based in the Emilia-Romagna city better known for its Byzantine mosaics and Adriatic beaches. The club spent several seasons in Serie B in the 1990s and 2000s, but went bankrupt in 2012 and had to rebuild from the amateur leagues before working their way back to Serie C.
The president is Ignazio Cipriani, of the famous Cipriani restaurant and hospitality family. Former Milan sporting director Ariedo Braida is vice-president.
The coach is Andrea Mandorlini, a Ravenna native and former Inter defender who won the Scudetto in 1989. As a coach, he is best known for taking Hellas Verona from the third tier to Serie A. He took charge in February 2026 after Marco Marchionni was sacked, and was kept on for this season. His son Davide is the club’s sporting director.
How are Ravenna doing in Serie C?
Ravenna make no secret of their ambition to reach Serie B, and they are in the race. After 10 games they are second in Serie C Group B with 20 points from six wins, two draws and two defeats.
However, leaders Spezia, who were relegated from Serie B, have already opened up an eight-point gap. They won 1-0 at the Benelli last Sunday. Grosseto are a point behind Ravenna in third.
Only the group winners earn automatic promotion to Serie B, with the rest of the top places going into the promotion playoffs.
Ronaldinho’s debut opponents Forlì, from the neighbouring city, sit 14th. The derby looks certain to be the most watched game in Serie C history, though Mandorlini will decide how many minutes the Brazilian gets.