The announcement confirms that the 46-year-old Brazilian will take part in the fixture at 17:30 local time, bringing an unusual new chapter to the career of a player who retired from professional football in 2018.
Barattoni revealed the news during an appearance on "Fattore R.", responding to a direct question from Rai journalist Gianluca Semprini. His answer settled months of speculation over whether the former Barcelona and AC Milan star would actually appear on the pitch in Ravenna’s colours.
The possibility had been discussed for weeks, but Ronaldinho’s involvement had remained uncertain. His appearance against local rivals Forlì will now give supporters a chance to see the World Cup winner in action at the Bruno Benelli.
Ronaldinho is one of the most recognisable players of his generation. He helped Brazil win the 2002 World Cup and received the Ballon d’Or in 2005, following a spell at Barcelona in which his technique, creativity and ability to entertain made him one of football’s leading figures.
He also played for AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain and other clubs during a career that included domestic titles and European honours. His last competitive appearance came for Brazilian side Fluminense in 2015, before he formally announced his retirement three years later.
His return to the pitch for Ravenna is therefore more than a routine appearance by a former player. It is an opportunity for the club to bring an internationally recognised name into a local rivalry and draw attention to its team and supporters.
Ravenna announced Ronaldinho’s arrival earlier this year. He subsequently acquired a stake in the club, which is owned by his friend Ignazio Cipriani. The move has been presented as part of an effort to strengthen the connection between the club and the city.
The match against Forlì gives that project a highly visible moment. The derby is already a significant fixture for local supporters, and Ronaldinho’s confirmed involvement adds another layer of interest to the occasion.
For a player whose career was defined by some of football’s biggest stages, the setting will be different from the World Cup and Champions League nights that made his name. But the prospect of seeing him play again, this time in Ravenna’s colours, is now confirmed.
The focus turns to November 15, when the Brazilian is scheduled to take the field at the Bruno Benelli for the derby against Forlì.