Brazil great Ronaldinho will start for Serie C side Ravenna against local rivals Forli on Sunday, 15 November. Ravenna manager Andrea Mandorlini confirmed on Friday that the 46-year-old would start as one of his side's three forwards.
"He will play from the start, there's no doubt," Mandorlini told reporters. "Then together we will decide how long he plays." He also said: "He is one of the greatest players of the modern era."
Ronaldinho last played a competitive match for Fluminense, against Goiás, in 2015. He joined Ravenna as an investor in August, and he won the Ballon d'Or in 2005. Legit.ng reports he is the only footballer in history to have won the World Cup, Copa América, Confederations Cup, Champions League, Copa Libertadores and the Ballon d'Or.
He is hoping to score his 300th career goal, more than a decade after his 299th. Ravenna owner Ignazio Cipriani said earlier this year: "His objective is romantic, to try to score his last goal." The move is widely regarded as a marketing stunt, but Cipriani said: "His involvement is not a token gesture or a marketing stunt to get people talking about us."
Ronaldinho said it would be "truly beautiful" to play again, and he told Sky Sports on Friday: "I want to have a great day. I'm happy to be here for the start of this wonderful story."
He explained what the chance meant to him:
"Now I'm 46, and I've experienced everything there is to experience in football. This is a completely different kind of opportunity. I want to be part of the dream held by my friends who work for Ravenna."
Ravenna's Stadio Bruno Benelli usually holds 5,000 fans and is sold out. A temporary stand with 1,800 places, dubbed "R10", has also been put up for the match.
Ravenna have not played in Serie B since 2008, and they are second in their group in Serie C, six points behind leaders Spezia. Cipriani has set the aim: "The long-term goal is to get Ravenna promoted to Serie A," the club president insisted.
Forward Simone Rabbi has said Ronaldinho will take any penalties awarded to Ravenna. Ronaldinho arrived in Italy on Friday and has one training session with his new team-mates on Saturday before his competitive debut.
Asked why he agreed to an official match 11 years after retiring, Ronaldinho gave two reasons: his friendship with Cipriani and the goals they want to achieve in the future.
The fixture is listed for 17:30.
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