RAVENNA, Italy — Brazil great Ronaldinho has landed in Ravenna, a city more famous for its nearby beaches than its soccer team.
Thursday was dubbed “Ronaldinho day” as one of soccer’s most recognizable figures was presented first to the press before a glitzy beachside ceremony in front of thousands of awaiting fans — despite the intermittent rain.
In a surprise announcement in June, the 46-year-old Ronaldinho signed with Italian third-division club Ravenna more than a decade after retiring.
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“I’m very happy to be here with my friends, but let’s wait and see if things go well with the team,” Ronaldinho said Thursday when asked about how he was feeling, before later answering a question as to when Ravenna fans could expect to see him on the field.
“I feel fine,” he said with a laugh, before later adding: “I don’t know, it depends on the president and coach. I don’t know.”
Ronaldinho arrived by private jet at nearby Forlì Airport — about 30 kilometers (19 miles) from Ravenna — around midday local time. He signed a couple of soccer balls for airport staff before getting into a car on the runway, skipping the handful of fans that were waiting landside.
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Ronaldinho was accompanied by Ravenna President Ignazio Cipriani of the Cipriani restaurant brand.
Fans will have the chance to see their soccer star for the first time at ceremony on the beach Thursday evening, when the squad will be presented — with Ronaldinho expected to come out last, to much fanfare.
Ronaldinho will not feature in Ravenna’s first Serie C match of the season on Monday, at Reggio Emilia, and it is still unclear how much he hopes to play during the campaign. However, Cipriani has said it is his dream for the Brazilian to score his last career goal for the team.
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“If that happens even better, no?” Ronaldinho said. “I’ve come here because of the friendship we have, and that’s it, let’s wait and see how the team does … I’m here to help.”
Ronaldinho last played professionally for Fluminense in 2015. It marks his second spell in Italy after featuring for AC Milan from 2008-11. He won the World Cup with Brazil in 2002 and the Ballon d’Or in 2005.
