Ronaldinho’s first professional game in more 10 years can be watched for free this week

Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho will play his first professional game of football in a decade this weekend as he looks to make history in the unique arrangement.

Ronaldinho's last professional club was Fluminense back in his native Brazil in 2015 and after announcing his retirement three years on, he has played in a number of charity fixtures around the world, as well as spending a short period in Gerard Pique's 'Kings League'.

In June, Ronaldinho was officially unveiled by Serie C side Ravenna as he became a shareholder in the club.

Owner Ignazio Cipriani said that "acquiring Ronaldinho is absolutely extraordinary" and called it a "marketing" move while initially stressing that the 2005 Ballon d'Or winner would not turn out for Ravenna, currently second in Serie C group B.

Ronaldinho to make first professional appearance in more than a decade for surprise club

However, he later changed his tune and said: "This is not window dressing or a marketing stunt. Ronaldinho will become a shareholder in Ravenna FC — that is the central point of the operation.

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“He has also chosen to make an extraordinary gift to the city and to his new club: he will take to the pitch for Ravenna in an official professional match, with one clear and romantic aim — to try to score the final goal of his career.”

Ronaldinho will line up for Ravenna against Forli FC on Sunday, with the former Barcelona and AC Milan superstar is expected to take to the pitch wearing his iconic No.10 shirt.

There is no information on Ronaldinho's salary but the 46-year-old is taking to the pitch as a way to finally close out his career and with the intention of completing an objective he failed to fulfill.

He is looking to finally score his 300th career goal after being stuck on exactly 299 following hanging up his boots.

When his signing was announced, Ronaldinho said: "New colours, same smile.

"I cannot wait to dance with the ball and write a beautiful new story with Ignazio Cipriani and the Cipriani family.

"Football has always been joyful for me, and I'm excited to bring that spirit to Ravenna. Let the magic begin!"

Ronaldinho's debut and likely one-off appearance is expected to attract huge viewership and it's emerged that the game will be shown live on Sky Sports' Football YouTube channel.

Kick-off is 16:30pm and with little club football on because of the international break, it could be the perfect opportunity to see if Ronaldinho has still got it.

Ronaldinho's life post-retirement included music career and prison stint

Ronaldinho has had a rollercoaster time since retirement, embarking on a music career with Brazilian rap and funk.

He also participated in beach soccer and futsal but in 2020, was sent to prison in Paraguay.

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Ronaldinho spent 32 days in the maximum security prison along with his brother Roberto de Assis after they allegedly used fake Paraguayan passports upon entering the country.

The pair claimed they were handed the documents by people connected to the organisers or a charity event.

In prison, Ronaldinho was treated like royalty - signing autographs for fellow inmates and celebrating his 40th birthday in jail.

He stole the show by scoring five goals and assisting six in a five-a-side prison football game, his team winning a 16kg pig after going all the way in a tournament arranged.

Eventually, he and his older brother and agent were released following a combined $1.6 million bail but had to stay under house arrest at a hotel in Asuncion to begin with.

He and his sibling were allowed to return in August after the judge ruled they did need to serve any more prison time as they were handed suspended sentences.