Italian club Ravenna FC has signed 46-year-old football icon Ronaldinho, aiming to boost the team's global profile and support its ascent from Serie C to Serie A.
Key facts
- •Ignazio Cipriani, heir to the Harry’s Bar hospitality dynasty, became president of Ravenna FC in 2024.
- •Ronaldinho is expected to appear at a three-day summer festival in Marina di Ravenna on August 20.
- •The club is targeting a season-ticket sales goal of 2,800.
- •Ravenna FC has historically spent most of its time in lower Italian football tiers, with seven seasons in Serie B as its peak.
- •The club aims to reach Serie A and eventually compete in the Champions League.
Ravenna FC president Ignazio Cipriani has announced the signing of 46-year-old football legend Ronaldinho to play for the Italian club. The move, revealed in Miami in June, is part of a broader strategy to elevate the team from Serie C to Serie A and increase the city's international visibility. While some local supporters remain skeptical of the commercial nature of the deal, the club views the Brazilian star as a key figure in building a global fanbase.
By the numbers
Club Ambitions and Infrastructure
Since taking over the club in 2024, Ignazio Cipriani has overseen a promotion from Serie D to Serie C. The club is currently working with the municipality to renovate the Stadio Bruno Benelli, with plans to increase its capacity beyond 6,300. President Cipriani’s long-term vision includes a new multi-purpose venue featuring retail, concert facilities, and an integrated hotel to support the city's tourism goals.
Community and Commercial Reception
The signing has generated significant attention, with a special-edition shirt featuring Ronaldinho’s 'R10' logo selling out within hours. While Mayor Alessandro Barattoni believes the move will help promote Ravenna globally, some traditional fans express caution regarding the commercialization of the club and potential increases in ticket prices. The club has launched a season-ticket campaign with a target of 2,800 sales, noting that ticket prices have risen by an average of about 12%.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Guardian Football.
