Overview
- The 46-year-old arrived in Italy on Thursday and was presented to thousands of fans at a beach ceremony in Ravenna after signing with the Serie C club.
- Club owner Ignazio Cipriani says Ronaldinho will become a shareholder in the Cipriani-led project and described the move as more than a simple marketing stunt.
- Ronaldinho is registered as a player and has said he will "certainly play a few minutes" in an official match, but the club confirmed he will not feature in the season opener and has not set a debut date.
- The signing mixes a declared sporting aim — Ronaldinho's stated desire to try to score a final career goal — with a clear commercial and brand-development strategy by Ravenna's new ownership.
- Ravenna's acquisition is designed to build a larger fan base and international attention as the club pushes for promotion from Serie C and integrates Ronaldinho into coaching, ownership and promotional plans.