Ronaldinho is back. The former Barcelona and AC Milan playmaker, now 46, will start for Ravenna against local rivals Forli in Italy's third division on Sunday, BBC Sport reported. It will be his first appearance for the Serie C club since he joined in August.
Ravenna manager Andrea Mandorlini confirmed the plan on Friday. He said Ronaldinho would be one of his side's three forwards. "He will play from the start, there's no doubt," Mandorlini told reporters. He added that the two of them would decide together how long the Brazilian stays on the pitch.
Mandorlini called Ronaldinho one of the greatest players of the modern era. He also stressed that Ravenna still need a result. The club are second in the table after 13 matches.
Preparation time is short. According to BBC Sport, Ronaldinho arrived in Italy on Friday and will train with his team-mates only once before kick-off. Ravenna forward Simone Rabbi said the World Cup winner will take any penalties the side are awarded.
The former Ballon d'Or winner first joined Ravenna as an investor in August. He has said he wants to score one final goal to take his career tally to 300. Club owner Ignazio Cipriani said earlier this year that this objective was "romantic". He insisted that Ronaldinho's involvement was not a marketing stunt to get people talking about the club.
Ronaldinho last played a competitive match for Brazilian side Fluminense in September 2015. Ravenna have put up a temporary stand at the Stadio Bruno Benelli for the expected crowd. Fans hope to see him in action, possibly for the last time.