Ronaldinho set for competitive return in Italy's third division

Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho is poised to make his first competitive start in over a decade this Sunday. The 46-year-old is set to feature for Serie C side Ravenna in their local derby against Forli, marking his return to professional football since his final appearance for Fluminense in 2015.

A quest for one last goal

The former Ballon d'Or winner initially joined Ravenna as an investor in August but has expressed a desire to reach a career milestone of 300 goals. Club owner Ignazio Cipriani has emphasized that this move is a genuine sporting ambition rather than a marketing stunt.

"He will play from the start, there's no doubt."

Andrea Mandorlini

Ravenna manager Andrea Mandorlini has confirmed that the playmaker will line up as part of a three-man forward line. While he has had limited training time with the squad, anticipation is high at the Stadio Bruno Benelli, where a temporary stand has been erected to accommodate the influx of fans eager to see the World Cup winner one last time.

"His objective is romantic, to try to score his last goal."

Ignazio Cipriani

Teammate Simone Rabbi has also revealed that the Brazilian will be on penalty duty for the club, which currently sits second in the league table.

The football icon's return is a significant moment for the Italian third division, drawing global attention to the match. Whether he can find the back of the net once more remains the primary focus for supporters and the club alike.