London, 13 August, 2026: Italian Serie C football club Ravenna FC is inviting bids from broadcasters, media agencies and streaming platforms to screen one of football’s most anticipated comeback matches of the year – the live debut of Brazilian football icon Ronaldinho.
One of the all-time greats of the game, Ronaldinho has signed with Ravenna FC, which plays in Italy’s third-tier Serie C, marking a sensational return to competitive football at the age of 46. He last played professionally for Brazilian club Fluminense, with his contract there ending in September 2015.
The deal follows a long-standing friendship between Ronaldinho and Ravenna FC owner Ignazio Cipriani. It was sealed in June 2026, when Cipriani hosted Ronaldinho in Miami for a special celebration event timed to coincide with the World Cup 2026, formally unveiling the signing alongside Ravenna’s new kit and a four-year partnership with Nike.
Broadcasters, media agencies and streaming platforms are now invited to submit proposals for the media and TV rights to Ronaldinho’s comeback fixture with the club in November. Exclusive rights will include live match broadcast and documentary rights to ensure this cultural moment receives the attention it deserves.
The invitation to tender is issued by Ravenna FC, under the ownership of Ignazio Cipriani, and marketing agency MatchVibe, which holds the exclusive global commercial mandate for Ronaldinho’s return to competitive football with Ravenna FC covering broadcast rights, brand partnerships and creator activations ahead of his Serie C debut.
Ignazio Cipriani, President of Ravenna FC says: “Ronaldinho is more than a football icon, he’s the kind of name that pulls in fans who’ve never even watched a match. Ronaldinho was my idol growing up, now he’s wearing the Ravenna shirt, and I still can’t quite believe it. We’re not just selling rights, we’re inviting broadcasters to join us on this journey and it’s going to be a story worth telling. We’re genuinely excited to partner with broadcasters who want to help us make that happen, and build something special together with his debut.”
Rakesh Dhall, Founder and CEO of MatchVibe, adds: “Ronaldinho’s return to competitive football isn’t just a football story, it’s a cultural moment and it deserves a broadcast partner who understands how to bring that story to the widest possible audience. This tender is a chance for platforms to be part of one of the year’s most compelling sports narratives, on the pitch and off it.”
On offer is the global rights to broadcast the competitive Serie C fixture in November, Ronaldinho’s first appearance for his new club, and an occasion on which he has said he hopes to score what could be among the final goals of his illustrious career. The fixture is expected to draw significant viewership among football fans across Italy, his home nation of Brazil, and globally among fans who appreciate Ronaldinho’s genius on the ball.
The Brazilian magician is a Ballon d’Or winner (2005), a World Cup winner with Brazil (2002), and a two-time FIFA World Player of the Year. Renowned for a rare combination of dribbling skill, vision, free-kick accuracy and audacious overhead kicks, he scored 33 goals in 97 appearances for Brazil and enjoyed a golden period at FC Barcelona before spells at AC Milan (2008–11) and elsewhere. His move to Ravenna FC marks his second spell in Italian football.
The comeback story extends well beyond the 90 minutes. Bidders will also have access to creator-led original content and watch-along livestreams featuring some of the biggest names in football and YouTube culture – including Miniminter (Sidemen), John Nellis via Arcade and Andrew Henderson, Daniel Cutting, Ben Black, Ricardinho, Lisa Zimouche, Eman SV2 through MatchVibe agency. Matchday itself is set to be a spectacle in its own right, with a Grand Arrival for Ronaldinho, appearances from his football friends and special guests, and music artist performances both at half-time and during an official afterparty.
For Broadcasters, streamers and media agencies interested in bidding for rights to the comeback, a series of exclusive rights are on offer — live rights, editorial and documentary rights, and highlights and betting-streaming rights — alongside non-exclusive rights for creator reaction and commentary, and media-owner highlights and news access. A broadcaster engagement event, with Ronaldinho in attendance, will be held at Ravenna on 21 August to coincide with Ravenna FC’s official season presentation.
All submissions should be sent to damian@match-vibe.com and rakesh@match-vibe.com by deadline 26 August.
