Ronaldinho makes surprise football return at age 46 with Italian club Ravenna

UPDATE - follow-up to Pochettino to Manchester United latest, WSL and Nations League buildup – matchday live: Brazilian great Ronaldinho will make his return to the pitch on Sunday at age 46, eleven years after his retirement, by playing for Italian third-tier side Ravenna in a local derby against Forli. The 2005 Ballon d'Or winner, who last played for Fluminense in 2015, will start the match and aims to score his 300th career goal. Ravenna president Ignazio Cipriani stated that his goal is to take the club to Serie A for the first time in their history. The team's Stadio Bruno Benelli is sold out, featuring a new 1,800-capacity temporary stand named 'R10'. Ravenna currently sit second in their group in Serie C, six points behind leaders Spezia.

International And Domestic Football

In international friendlies, Japan defeated Brazil 3-2 after a 91st-minute strike from Tatsuhiro Sakamoto. Takefusa Kubo and Keito Nakamura gave Japan an early two-goal lead before Vinícius Júnior scored twice for Brazil to level the score prior to the late winner. Meanwhile, Max Dowman became the youngest-ever player to represent England's Under-21s at 16 years, 10 months and 13 days old, breaking the previous record set by Jude Bellingham in 2020. In club management, Crystal Palace have not yet confirmed Pierre Sage's successor, with Thomas Frank remaining the favorite for the role.

WSL Team News

Manchester United and Crystal Palace announced their starting lineups ahead of their Women's Super League clash. Manchester United selected a starting XI featuring Tullis-Joyce, Riviere, Le Tissier, Janssen, Lundkvist, Zigiotti, Miyazawa, Park, Awujo, Medina, and Terland, with Leitzig, Toone, Bizet Dønnum, Bernal, Wangerheim, Jusu Bah, Schuller, Simpson, and Griffiths on the bench. Crystal Palace named Yanez, Napier, Bartrip, Swaby, Goldie, Ladd, Tsunoda, Larkin, Blanchard, Everett, and England in their starting lineup, with Peyraud-Magnin, Enge, Lloyd-Smith, Sharpe, Weerden, Cosme, Nolan, Hopcroft, and O'Brien listed as substitutes.

Context

Ronaldinho's return to competitive football in Italy's lower tiers highlights the enduring global appeal of former Ballon d'Or winners. Lower-division Italian clubs occasionally draw massive attention and ticket sales by signing legendary international veterans. Meanwhile, youth records continue to fall as teenagers break into top international under-21 squads at increasingly early ages.