Ronaldinho makes honest admission immediately after playing first professional match in 11 years

Ronaldinho has not ruled out making another appearance for Italian third-tier side Ravenna after the 46-year-old played in his first competitive match since 2015 on Sunday evening.

It was a day to remember for the former PSG and Barcelona forward, who played the first half of Ravenna's 2-0 win over local rivals Forli.

The Brazilian failed to score his 300th career goal, a milestone he was hoping to achieve in the much-anticipated Serie C fixture, but he was heavily involved in the opener for Andrea Mandorlini's side.

After some great close control in the final third, Ronaldinho beat his man before passing it to Lorenzo Lonardi, who laid it off for Giulio Donati's superb effort from long range.

Speaking in his half-time interview with Sky Italia, a beaming Ronaldinho confirmed he would pull on the Ravenna shirt again if club president Ignazio Cipriani, a close friend, asked him to play again.

“Those 45 minutes went by too quickly. With football, it’s always been like that for me," he said.

"A comeback? I don’t know yet. I haven’t ruled out coming back; it depends on the president. If he calls me, I’ll come back. Playing makes me happy. Reliving those moments in the dressing room, going through it all again, it’s wonderful."

Ronaldinho added: "Football is the most beautiful thing I’ve had in my life.”

The former AC Milan playmaker later spoke about the link between Brazil and Italy when it comes to football, before once again reiterating his desire to play on the professional stage.

“There are many players who have the same joy I did," he continued. "In football, sometimes things don’t go well, we know this in Brazil, and you Italians do too. I hope that Italy and Brazil can get back to winning World Cups and playing great football."

Ronaldinho added: “It was fun to be with so many young players, some of whom grew up watching me. It was great. Now, if the president calls me, I’ll be back."

The 46-year-old, who signed a player-investor contract with third-tier side Ravenna in August, was handed a place in Mandorlini's starting line-up on Sunday, featuring as one of his side's three forwards.

Earlier this week, Ronaldinho was asked why he joined Ravenna on a player-investor contract in August.

Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, he said: “Because of the friendship we have with [Ravenna President] Ignazio Cipriani and because of the things we want for the future.

“I’m here to experience a unique, special, and distinct moment in my life, and I think it will be a special day for the other players too, perhaps. Or I hope it will be.

“Now I have the opportunity to do something in football again that makes me happy, and also to give the fans a nice day, as they experience the start of this wonderful adventure with joy. I just hope that we can all have a nice day together.”

Cipriani was keen to remind fans that Ronaldinho's involvement at Ravenna was neither a token gesture nor a marketing stunt. "His objective is romantic, to try to score his last goal," he added.