MIAMI (AP) 鈥� Brazil great Ronaldinho has signed with Italian Serie C club Ravenna at age 46, more than a decade after retiring.
鈥淚 cannot wait to dance with the ball,鈥� Ronaldinho said. 鈥淔ootball has always been joyful for me, and I鈥檓 excited to bring that spirit to Ravenna. Let the magic begin!鈥�
The Ravenna club is run by Ignazio Cipriani of the Cipriani restaurant brand.
鈥�(Ronaldinho) was my idol growing up,鈥� Cipriani said at a presentation in Miami. 鈥淚 hope his involvement inspires a new generation of supporters to fall in love with Ravenna.鈥�
Ronaldinho last played professionally for Fluminense in 2015. It will mark 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鈥橭r in 2005.
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