{
  "id": 2229793,
  "title": "Ronaldinho returns in search of ‘beautiful’ 300th goal",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/ronaldinho-returns-in-search-of-beautiful-300th-goal-2229793",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-20T21:40:48.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/ronaldinho-returns-in-search-of-beautiful-300th-goal/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Brazil superstar Ronaldinho announced on Thursday his return to professional football, joining Italian third-division side Ravenna with the goal of scoring his 300th career goal. The 46-year-old, who won the World Cup in 2002 and the Ballon d'Or in 2005, retired from football in 2015 after playing his last official match for Brazilian club Fluminense. Speaking on the sidelines of his presentation in Ravenna, Ronaldinho expressed his happiness to be back with friends and to join a team aiming to return to Serie B after finishing third last season. The former Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona and AC Milan playmaker revealed that he is in good shape and focused on helping his teammates win. Ronaldinho’s return was announced in June by Ignazio Cipriani, the Italian-American owner of Ravenna since 2024. Cipriani emphasized that Ronaldinho's participation is genuine and not a marketing ploy, as the former Brazil star will become a shareholder in the club and will not face Reggiana in the upcoming Serie C season opener. Ravenna, which finished third in Group B of last season’s third-division championship, is aiming to return to Serie B after a six-year absence.",
  "summary": "Football legend Ronaldinho, 46, returns to professional football with Italian side Ravenna, aiming to score his ‘beautiful’ 300th career goal. Read More: https://punchng.com/ronaldinho-returns-in-search-of-beautiful-300th-goal/",
  "key_points": [
    "Former Brazil star Ronaldinho returns to professional football.",
    "Joins Italian third-division side Ravenna to score 300th goal.",
    "Aims to help Ravenna return to Serie B after six-year absence."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "Ronaldinho returns in search of ‘beautiful’ 300th goal",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/ronaldinho-returns-in-search-of-beautiful-300th-goal-2236453",
        "published": "2026-08-20T22:16:48.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}