Former Brazil international Ronaldinho has signed a contract with Italian third-tier side Ravenna ahead of an official unveiling in Miami on 23 June.
The 46-year-old has agreed a deal with the Serie C outfit, marking an unexpected return to the sport.
However, it remains unclear whether the former Ballon d’Or winner will actually feature in a competitive fixture for the club.
Reports in Italy suggest that even Ravenna’s hierarchy are divided on the exact nature of his playing role.
Ronaldinho promises joy in Italy
The former Barcelona and AC Milan playmaker expressed immense enthusiasm about joining the northern Italian side.
He will be formally introduced to supporters during a glitzy event in the United States later this month.
“New colours, same smile.”
“I can’t wait to be able to dance on the ball again to write a new story together with Ignazio and the whole Cipriani family.”
“Football has always been a source of joy for me, I want to bring the same spirit to Ravenna.”
Cipriani secures childhood idol
Ravenna owner Ignazio Cipriani orchestrated the remarkable transfer after spending more than two decades living in the United States.
Cipriani described the acquisition of the World Cup winner as a monumental moment for the provincial club.
“I spent 24 years of my life in the United States, but I still consider Ravenna my home.”
“Acquiring Ronaldinho is something absolutely extraordinary for the club; he was my idol, and his impact on football goes beyond what he did on the pitch.”
A sensational return
The legendary attacker officially retired from professional football in 2018 following a glittering career across Europe and South America.
He previously illuminated Italian football during a memorable spell at the San Siro between 2008 and 2011.
His new club currently compete in Serie C, the regionalised third tier of the Italian football pyramid.
Brazil have lost their traditional fear factor at the 2026 World Cup, leaving manager Carlo Ancelotti to find a new path forward following their 3-0 victory over Haiti in Philadelphia.
The Italian tactician is attempting to nurture a workable system for the current generation. However, the five-time champions currently look like a shadow of their historic predecessors.
This stark contrast was highlighted in the corridors of the Lincoln Financial Field post-match. A glittering array of former stars, including Romario, Bebeto, Rivaldo and Kaka, drew significantly more attention than the current squad.
Weight of history
The presence of those tournament winners underlined the intense pressure on modern forwards like Vinicius Junior and Matheus Cunha. Romario, the standout star of the 1994 campaign, even conducted post-match television interviews with the current players.
The Real Madrid winger is rarely fazed by external noise, but performing in front of national icons who have achieved ultimate glory adds an intimidating dynamic. An entire nation remains desperate for a return to the summit of world football.
Despite easing past their Caribbean opponents at the pace of a training match, the famous yellow shirt no longer carries its former allure. The contemporary squad inspires wariness from opponents rather than outright terror.
Replacing the magic
Past iterations of the Selecao possessed the unique ability to decide matches in seconds with devastating flashes of individual brilliance. That historical stardust created an aura that intimidated opposition teams before they even stepped onto the pitch.
The current reality presents a very different picture for the South American giants. They are now viewed simply as a highly competent team possessing a few standout individuals, rather than an otherworldly force.
While no side would welcome a knockout clash against them, the mystique surrounding the team has undeniably vanished. Ancelotti must now forge a resilient collective identity to compensate for the missing magic if they are to succeed on the global stage.
Former Republic of Ireland captain Roy Keane has criticised the partners of England players for wearing replica shirts displaying their significant others’ names during the World Cup in the United States.
The 53-year-old pundit expressed his disbelief at the practice while speaking on a podcast alongside former colleagues Gary Neville and Ian Wright.
England recently secured a 4-2 victory over Croatia in their latest tournament fixture.
Following the final whistle, players including Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Jordan Pickford were seen celebrating with their families in the stands.
Keane labels shirt gesture ‘ridiculous’
When asked by former Manchester United team-mate Neville what modern football trend he would banish entirely, the outspoken analyst immediately targeted the family enclosure.
“The World Cup, when all the players’ wives and families are going to the match, all the wives are in the jerseys with the players’ names on the back, wow,” said Keane.
He clarified that he had no issue with children wearing the kits, but maintained that adult partners partaking in the trend was unnecessary.
“Children is fine, the partners is ridiculous. All sitting in the same family section, I’ve got my jersey, have you got yours? I’m not having it.”
The former midfield enforcer pointed out that families rarely wear replica tops during standard domestic fixtures at Anfield or Old Trafford.
Wright defends supportive families
Former Arsenal striker Wright immediately defended the travelling contingents, noting that wearing the shirt was a natural expression of pride.
“Her husband is playing and she’s proud of him and she wants to wear his shirt, it seems as simple as that,” Wright argued.
The debate comes amid a broader shift in the national team’s camp dynamics under new head coach Thomas Tuchel.
Tuchel relaxes family camp rules
The German tactician has notably relaxed the strict boundaries previously enforced by his predecessor Gareth Southgate.
Under the current regime, wives and girlfriends are permitted to enter the official tournament training base in the United States.
This softer approach aims to keep the squad relaxed as they navigate the immense pressure of international tournament football.
Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk will face Liverpool team-mate Alexander Isak when his side take on Sweden in a crucial World Cup Group F encounter in Houston tonight.
The high-stakes clash in Texas pits two Anfield colleagues against each other as both nations vie for a place in the knockout stages.
The Swedes arrive full of confidence after thrashing Tunisia in a commanding five-goal masterclass in Monterrey.
Their £125m striker starred in that resounding victory, scoring once and providing two assists to remind observers of his formidable attacking prowess.
Anfield struggles and fitness battles
It has been a difficult domestic campaign for the former Newcastle United forward since his record-breaking transfer to Merseyside last summer.
Arriving with limited fitness following a strike on Tyneside, the dynamic attacker then suffered a serious injury against Tottenham Hotspur before Christmas.
That setback sidelined the club’s record signing until April, restricting him to just 13 appearances and four goals in a red shirt.
Despite managing a minor hamstring issue this week at his team’s Frisco training base, the dangerous frontman has been declared fully fit for tonight’s showdown.
High stakes for Dutch qualification
The Dutch defensive stalwart will know exactly what his club colleague is capable of producing on the international stage.
Ronald Koeman’s men sit under pressure in Group F after being held to a frustrating draw by Japan in their opening fixture in Dallas.
While defeat would not mathematically eliminate the Oranje, it would significantly complicate their path through the tournament’s round of 32.
Although the towering centre-back experienced a slight dip in his usually impeccable club form last term, he remains one of the premier defenders in world football.
Iraola watching on
Newly appointed Liverpool manager Andola Iraola will be a keenly interested spectator as he assesses two of his most important assets.
The new Anfield boss will be desperate to see his star striker look sharp and threatening ahead of the upcoming Premier League campaign.
A strong performance against one of the game’s elite centre-halves would signal to the watching world that the expensive attacker is finally back to his absolute best.
Manchester United are exploring an ambitious summer move for Nigerian international Victor Osimhen as they look to add elite experience to their forward line.
The Old Trafford club have reportedly identified the 27-year-old as a dream target for the upcoming transfer window.
Despite the likely prohibitive cost, the prolific forward has been highlighted as the priority acquisition needed to spearhead their attack.
Focus shifts from midfield rebuild
United’s recruitment team have spent recent weeks heavily prioritising reinforcements in the centre of the pitch.
A £38m deal for Atalanta’s Ederson is reportedly close to completion.
Interest also remains strong in Mateus Fernandes, with internal optimism that his signature can be secured soon.
With those midfield issues nearing resolution, securing a proven goalscorer has emerged as the next crucial phase of their squad overhaul.
Mentoring the next generation
The Red Devils are eager to recruit a seasoned talisman to help develop their younger, developing attacking prospects.
Osimhen, currently plying his trade with Galatasaray, possesses the top-level pedigree required to guide emerging talents within the squad.
The highly rated marksman registered 15 league goals and a further seven in the Champions League during his previous campaign.
If United can successfully negotiate a reasonable fee, his arrival would be viewed as a phenomenal coup for the Manchester club’s hierarchy.
Portugal manager Roberto Martinez is facing mounting pressure over Cristiano Ronaldo’s role following a disjointed 1-1 draw against DR Congo in their World Cup opener.
The Selecao struggled to establish any clear identity or leadership during a disappointing performance on the global stage.
Escaping with a single point against the African nation – who secured their first-ever World Cup point in the process – highlighted a stark lack of in-game awareness from the European heavyweights.
However, the most pressing issue for the national side remains the ongoing tactical integration of their 41-year-old captain.
Squad selection under scrutiny
Questions were immediately raised after Martinez announced his tournament squad.
The selection featured an unusual surplus of goalkeepers alongside a noticeable imbalance across the defensive line.
Attacking talents such as Pedro Goncalves, Joao Palhinha and Ricardo Horta were omitted despite enjoying strong domestic campaigns.
This lack of cutting-edge options was evident as the team laboured to create meaningful chances in their opening fixture.
The cost of unwavering loyalty
The legendary forward has undeniably shaped his country’s footballing history over the past two decades.
It is completely understandable that the highly driven veteran wishes to feature prominently in what is expected to be his final major tournament.
Yet the harsh reality suggests the five-time Ballon d’Or winner can no longer provide the necessary dynamic output at international level.
The current squad boasts an average age of 28 and is filled with elite talent currently peaking at club level.
Continuing to mould the entire tactical structure around a single aging focal point threatens to derail their campaign.
A tactical hindrance
Reverence for the sporting icon remains incredibly high within the dressing room.
Younger teammates instinctively seek out the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star when building attacks.
This predictable approach proved costly against DR Congo, exemplified when a cross was snatched away from a better-positioned Bruno Fernandes.
With Champions League winners like Vitinha, Joao Neves and Goncalo Ramos ready to lead, the transition to a new era appears overdue.
While his legacy as the greatest player in the nation’s history is secure, time is rapidly catching up with their talismanic forward.
Marina Mabrey scored a career-high 37 points and tied the WNBA single-game record with nine three-pointers as the expansion Toronto Tempo overturned a 16-point deficit to defeat the Connecticut Sun 101-97 on Friday.
The dynamic guard exploded for 21 points in the decisive fourth quarter to inspire the dramatic comeback.
She finished the evening shooting an incredible nine-for-12 from beyond the arc while contributing four rebounds and four assists.
Historic shooting display
The sharpshooter’s perimeter masterclass matches the league benchmark recently achieved by Chelsea Gray of the Las Vegas Aces earlier this season.
Buoyed by their star’s incredible accuracy, the Canadian franchise drained 19 three-pointers collectively to tie for the second-highest total in WNBA regular-season history.
British forward Temi Fagbenle provided crucial support by shooting eight-for-nine from the floor to add 19 points and nine rebounds.
Maria Conde matched that 19-point tally off the bench as Toronto improved their season record to a balanced eight wins and eight losses.
Connecticut slide continues
The Sun had initially looked poised for a comfortable victory after establishing a commanding 50-37 advantage by half-time.
However, the struggling hosts were outscored 64-47 in the second half as their defence collapsed under relentless perimeter pressure.
Reserve Kennedy Burke led Connecticut with 18 points, while Leila Lacan and veteran centre Brittney Griner contributed 16 points apiece.
The defeat extends a miserable run of form for the Eastern Conference side, who have now suffered seven consecutive losses to slump to a dismal 2-15 overall record.
Wyndham Clark holds a commanding four-stroke lead heading into the weekend of the 126th US Open after setting a 36-hole scoring record at Shinnecock Hills.
The 2023 champion capitalised on benign early conditions in New York to card a one-under-par 69 on Friday, reaching seven under for the tournament.
That halfway total eclipses previous scoring marks set at the historic Southampton venue, firmly establishing the American as the man to catch.
Several major winners remain within striking distance, including Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy who sits seven shots adrift after a second-round 71.
Chasing redemption after Oakmont controversy
The frontrunner arrives at the weekend seeking not only a second major title, but also a measure of public redemption.
During the previous US Open at Oakmont Country Club, he caused outrage by severely damaging century-old locker room facilities after missing the cut.
The subsequent fallout resulted in a temporary ban from the club, mandatory anger management counselling and a significant charitable donation.
“I’ve gotten a lot of grief since last year, rightfully so,” Clark admitted.
“The thing that’s unfortunate is that’s not who I am. I’m hoping I can win back the fans that I had or some new fans because it was a terrible incident.”
Return to form under new guidance
Despite the intense public scrutiny, the world-class ball-striker has recently enjoyed a spectacular resurgence following a year-long slump.
Working alongside new swing coach Pat Coyner, he secured victory at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson in May before claiming top-15 finishes at both the Memorial Tournament and Canadian Open.
His precise iron play continued during Thursday’s opening round, where he gained nearly three strokes on the field with his approach shots.
While his putting statistics cooled slightly during the second round, the former Los Angeles Country Club winner remains fiercely optimistic about his game.
“Momentum is a huge thing in golf, and I feel like I have it right now,” he said.
McIlroy remains defiant despite deficit
History suggests that Shinnecock’s notoriously punishing weekend setup could quickly erode any existing leaderboard advantage.
When Retief Goosen claimed the US Open trophy here in 2004, the South African required a winning score of just four under par.
Such demanding conditions provide a glimmer of hope for the chasing pack, particularly for a confident McIlroy.
“If there’s a course where you feel like you still have a chance if you’re seven back going into the weekend like I am, it’s definitely this one,” stated the four-time major winner.