Brazilian icon Ronaldinho is set to come out of retirement and sign for Italian Serie C side Ravenna, aged 46.

The World Cup and Ballon d’Or-winning superstar had hung up his boots back in 2018 after a brief spell with Fluminense in 2015.

But The Athletic report that he has arrived in Italy to resume his career, with 6,000 fans expected to greet him at a launch event on the nearby Adriatic coast.

Ronaldinho also becomes part of the club’s ownership group fronted by Ignazio Cipriani, head of luxury hospitality business Mr. C Hotels & Residencies, having previously come onboard to help with Ravenna’s marketing.

And the ex-Barcelona star has addressed doubts that he might not actually play for the club.

He told Flashscore: “I will certainly play a few minutes in an official match, then we’ll see how I feel.”

Ravenna currently play in Group B of Serie C, the regionalised third tier of Italian football.

Nicknamed the Giallorossi, they are managed by former Inter Milan defender Andrea Mandorlini.