Ronaldinho to return to the pitch at 46 for Italy's Ravenna on November 15

The comeback is scheduled for November 15

Brazilian legendary midfielder Ronaldinho will return to the pitch as a player at the age of 46. Ravenna, a club in Italy's third division, announced on Saturday that the match will take place on November 15 — it will be a derby against Forlì at the Bruno Benelli stadium. 'The wait now has a date: Sunday, November 15,' the club said in a statement, promising that the event will 'turn the eyes of the whole world' toward the stadium. The news was reported by AFP.

Context of the move and goals

Ronaldinho's move to Ravenna was announced back in June. The 2002 World Cup winner ended his playing career in 2015, having won the Ballon d'Or ten years earlier. Over his career he played for Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona and Milan, and has now become a shareholder of Ravenna — a club located between Venice and San Marino. According to AFP, he is aiming to score his 300th career goal.

The club's sporting situation

Ravenna currently sit second in Group B of Italy's third division, six points behind leaders Spezia. The club is seeking to return to Serie B for the first time since 2008. Editorial note: the participation of a 46-year-old Ballon d'Or winner in a third-division match is a rare case of a lower-league club receiving global attention, which is also confirmed by Ravenna's own expectations of worldwide interest in the derby.