Ronaldinho’s surprise decision to join Ravenna, a newly promoted Serie C club, has divided supporters between scepticism and excitement. Some see the 46-year-old Brazilian’s arrival as a marketing exercise, while others hope to witness a final flourish from one of football’s most celebrated players; the move has brought unusual global attention to a city better known for its Byzantine heritage than football.

Club president Ignazio Cipriani, who bought Ravenna in 2024 when it was in fourth-tier Serie D, says the signing is part of an ambitious plan to reach Serie A and eventually the Champions League. Ravenna won the Serie D Cup and promotion in Cipriani’s first season, while a limited-edition Ronaldinho “R10” shirt sold out within hours, underlining the commercial impact of the transfer.