{
  "id": 20233617,
  "title": "Ronaldinho returns at 46 to play first competitive match in 11 years",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/15/ronaldinho-returns-at-46-to-play-first-competitive-match-in-11-years-20233617",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-15T21:18:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/sports/2026/11/16/ronaldinho-returns-at-46-to-play-first-competitive-match-in-11-years"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Brazilian World Cup winner Ronaldinho made a surprise return to professional football at the age of 46, starting his first competitive match in 11 years for Italian third-tier side Ravenna. Wearing the number 10 shirt, Ronaldinho played the entire first half in Ravenna's Serie C derby against Forli, which the team won 2-0. Ronaldinho played a crucial role in Giulio Donati's opening goal in the 36th minute and Simone Rabbi added the second goal in the 58th minute.\n\nThe former AC Milan forward expressed his joy at returning to the pitch and playing alongside teammates who grew up watching him. Ronaldinho, who last played professionally for Fluminense in September 2015 before formally retiring in 2018, had also taken a stake in the club. He announced his signing with Ravenna in June.\n\nRonaldinho reflected on his brief return to football, saying, \"It went by too fast, that has always been football for me.\" He also hinted at the possibility of another appearance for Ravenna, stating that if the club's president, Ignazio Cipriani, calls him, he will be back.",
  "summary": "Wearing the number 10 shirt, the Brazilian World Cup winner played the entire first half for third-tier Italian side Ravenna in their derby against Forli.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Ronaldinho returns at 46 to play first competitive match in 11 years",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/15/ronaldinho-returns-at-46-to-play-first-competitive-match-in-11-years",
        "published": "2026-11-15T18:58:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}