Published on 6/21/2026
The Italian club “Ravenna”, competing in the third division, announced its contract with Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho, in a deal that the club described as “historic”. But some doubted the player’s ability to keep up with the physical rhythm of the Italian leagues.
Ronaldinho, who won the World Cup with Samba in 2002 and has 97 international matches and 33 goals for the national team, played his last official match in September 2015 with the Brazilian club Fluminense.
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Ronaldinho is excited to be back
Regarding his return to the field, Ronaldinho, who turned forty-six years old last March, said in statements reported by the Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport: “New colors, and the same smile. I can’t wait to return to dancing with the ball so we can write a new story with Ignazio and the Cipriani family.”
The Brazilian star added that football has always been his source of happiness, stressing his willingness to join the team’s training camp since the preparation period for the new season.
Medical controversy
Ariedo Braida, vice-president of Ravenna, tried to control expectations about the possibility of the Brazilian star participating in a full season in the third division, hinting at the marketing and symbolic dimensions of this deal.
Braida said in a statement to the Canadian newspaper La Presse: “He is an exceptional player, and we will work to obtain his playing license, as it is a big deal for the club.”
Regarding the feasibility of his actual participation at the age of 46, he added in statements to the Italian ANSA agency: “Will he play? We will see. It is not unlikely, as a champion of Ronaldinho’s size remains outside the scope of traditional classifications and does not recognize the authority of age.”
Between “exhibition matches” and “the reality of professionalism,” this deal opens the door to questions about the ability of a player of this age, who has been away from competitive fields for about 10 years, to keep up with the high physical rhythm of the Italian third division.
In this context, Doctor Lanzoni provided an accurate medical reading of the situation, stressing that the difference is fundamental between “legends matches” and professional football.
Lanzoni explained to La Gazzetta newspaper that competitive football imposes strict physical and medical requirements, stressing the need to conduct comprehensive examinations to rule out any heart risks associated with aging, in addition to a careful assessment of muscular and bone condition.
Lanzoni warned that the risks increased “significantly” due to the long layoff period that Ronaldinho spent, explaining: “The player on the field may feel like the same champion of the past, but with the first sudden start or strong tackle, the risk of muscle or tendon injury becomes real.”
The doctor explained that football differs from other sports such as marathons or swimming, as the first popular game requires “explosive” movement, sudden changes in direction, and sharp stops. These are unpredictable physical changes that put tremendous pressure on the body at the age of 46.
Lanzoni concluded his analysis by emphasizing that “biological age” is the decisive factor. Accordingly, he sees the theoretical possibility of practicing sports at this age, but he expressed medical reservations about engaging in a full professional experience, noting that the physical differences between players at this age make “enjoying charity matches” a safer option compared to the pressures of the Italian professional leagues.
