All smiles for Ronaldinho as Brazil great returns to club football with 3rd-tier Ravenna at age 46

RAVENNA, Italy (AP) — More than a decade after his retirement, Brazil great Ronaldinho was all smiles as he returned to soccer in an Italian third-division match for Ravenna on Sunday.

The 46-year-old Ronaldinho received a warm welcome at Stadio Bruno Benelli for a local derby against Forlì, which his side won 2-0. He was involved in the buildup for right back Giulio Donati’s first-half goal and celebrated enthusiastically with the scorer and his teammates.

Ronaldinho wore the No. 10 jersey and, while the trademark acceleration has faded with age and gray hairs have sprouted, he looked comfortable linking up play with his assured touch or whipping in crosses.

Ronaldinho signed for the Serie C team in a surprise move in June and it was his first appearance at club level since 2015 for Rio-based side Fluminense.

Ronaldinho was replaced at halftime, with the score 1-0.

Ravenna is seeking promotion from its group in Serie C, which is geographically split into three sets. The club is run by Ignazio Cipriani of the Cipriani restaurant brand.

It is effectively Ronaldinho’s second spell in Italy, albeit at a much lower level, after three seasons with AC Milan from 2008-11, where he won one Serie A title. He also played for Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona in a trophy-laden career that included the World Cup with Brazil in 2002 and the 2005 Ballon d’Or award.

A technically gifted player with a spectacular array of tricks — combined with great strength and a remarkable eye for goal — Ronaldinho was also known for his trademark toothy grin and showmanship on the field.

He scored 94 goals in 207 matches for Barcelona — where in his best club spell he played alongside the emerging soccer great Lionel Messi — and 33 times in 97 games for Brazil.

Ronaldinho also played for Brazilian sides Gremio, Flamengo and Atlético Mineiro, and for Querétaro in Mexico.

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Ravenna's Ronaldinho celebrates a goal from Giulio Donati during the Serie C soccer match between Ravenna and Forli in Ravenna, Italy, Sunday Nov. 15, 2026. (Massimo Paolone/LaPresse via AP)

Ravenna's Giulio Donati celebrates scoring with Ronaldinho, center, during the Serie C soccer match between Ravenna and Forli in Ravenna, Italy, Sunday Nov. 15, 2026. (Massimo Paolone/LaPresse via AP)

Ravenna's Ronaldinho after the Serie C soccer match between Ravenna and Forli in Ravenna, Italy, Sunday Nov. 15, 2026. (Massimo Paolone/LaPresse via AP)

Ravenna's Ronaldinho, front fourth right, lines up with the team ahead of the Serie C soccer match between Ravenna and Forli in Ravenna, Italy, Sunday Nov. 15, 2026. (Massimo Paolone/LaPresse via AP)

Ravenna's Ronaldinho warms up during the Serie C soccer match between Ravenna and Forli in Ravenna, Italy, Sunday Nov. 15, 2026. (Massimo Paolone/LaPresse via AP)

Ravenna's Ronaldinho, left, and Forli's Luigi Palomba in action during the Serie C soccer match between Ravenna and Forli in Ravenna, Italy, Sunday Nov. 15, 2026. (Massimo Paolone/LaPresse via AP)

Ravenna's Ronaldinho, left, and Forli's Luigi Palomba in action during the Serie C soccer match between Ravenna and Forli in Ravenna, Italy, Sunday Nov. 15, 2026. (Massimo Paolone/LaPresse via AP)

MUNICH (AP) — Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson appeared to hurt his right knee while celebrating a sack of the Patriots' Drake Maye in the first quarter of Detroit's 35-10 win Sunday.

“Nothing new — we'll know more when we get back in the States,” coach Dan Campbell said. “Anytime you lose a player like that and you don’t know the entirety of it ... it hurts a little bit.”

Hutchinson leaped in the air but went straight to the ground after landing. He immediately grabbed his right knee. He stayed down and eventually was able to walk to the blue tent for evaluation.

He then walked gingerly to the locker room and didn't return to the game.

Hutchinson had sacked Maye on third down at the Detroit 15-yard line on New England's first drive. Andy Borregales then kicked a 33-yard field goal.

See AP’s full NFL coverage here

Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (97) arrives before an NFL football game in Munich, Germany, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Lennart Preiss)

Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (97) carries a bottle bearing a quote as he arrives before an NFL football game in Munich, Germany, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Lennart Preiss)

Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson addresses the media during a press conference after an NFL football practice in Munich, Germany, Friday, Nov. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Lennart Preiss)