Ronaldinho arrives in Italy ahead of return to the pitch after 11 years

Brazilian star Ronaldinho is set to return to football, having arrived in Italy today to prepare for his participation with Ravenna against Forlì on Sunday, November 15, in the Serie A.

Ronaldinho, aged 46, is expected to land at Luighi Ridolfi Airport in Forlì at around 14:40 local time, before moving to Milano Marittima to stay at a hotel, where he will conduct a special training session in the afternoon.

The Brazilian star will hold his first training session with his new teammates in Ravenna tomorrow, Saturday, at the Benelli Stadium, starting at 11:00 AM, one day before the highly anticipated match against Forlì, which has garnered significant media and fan attention.

Andrea Mandorlini, coach of Ravenna, revealed that Ronaldinho will start the match on the bench, but will participate in the second half in an attacking position, without specifying his exact position, saying: "He will come on in the second half and play up front, as for the position he will occupy? The champions are the ones who choose."

The anticipated return carries a special significance, as Ronaldinho will participate in an official match for the first time since September 2015, when he played his last game for Fluminense, who won against Goiás by two goals to nil at the Maracanã Stadium, before his contract was terminated two days later. He officially announced his retirement in January 2018.

Ronaldinho has had a career full of titles and achievements, most notably winning the FIFA World Cup in 2002 with Brazil, the UEFA Champions League with FC Barcelona in 2006, as well as winning the Ballon d'Or in 2005, along with two LaLiga titles and a Serie A title with AC Milan.

The Brazilian star hopes that his new experience will bring an additional individual achievement, having scored 299 official goals during his professional career, leaving him just one goal away from reaching the 300-goal mark, which he could achieve while wearing the shirt of Rafinha.