Some stories take decades to tell. For Ignazio Cipriani, who grew up in Ravenna, the historic city in Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region, the dream was always to build something that would bring his hometown to the world stage. On June 23, that vision arrives in Miami with an announcement that will resonate across football, fashion, and culture: Ronaldinho is joining Ravenna FC by Cipriani and will be officially registered as a player.

Ronaldinho, the FIFA World Cup champion, Ballon d’Or recipient, and one of the most recognizable figures in the history of the sport, joins a club that is entering an ambitious new era. Under the leadership of Ignazio Cipriani and investment partner Black Duck, Ravenna FC by Cipriani is building a project that extends beyond the pitch, positioning itself at the intersection of football, culture, creativity, and contemporary Italian identity.

The announcement will be made in person on June 23 at Cipriani Miami, where Ronaldinho

will be in attendance for a 70-person VIP dinner followed by a 250-person after-party. The evening marks the U.S. debut of the Ravenna FC by Cipriani story, and the beginning of its international chapter.

“New colors, same smile,” said Ronaldinho. “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!”

Coinciding with the announcement, Ravenna FC by Cipriani will unveil its official team kit for the upcoming season. Developed under the artistic direction of Italian creative director Giorgio Mallone, the jersey reflects the club’s broader vision of honoring Ravenna’s heritage while introducing a contemporary identity capable of resonating on a global stage.

The shirt will serve as the club’s official kit, including the jersey that Ronaldinho will wear when he takes the field for
Ravenna FC by Cipriani next season. The club’s official merchandise collection is now available through the Ravenna FC by Cipriani website: r10.ravennafc.it

“After 24 years in the United States, Ravenna remains the place I consider home,” said Ignazio Cipriani, president of Ravenna FC by Cipriani. “My connection to my hometown and my passion for football made this a natural opportunity.

Bringing Ronaldinho to Ravenna FC by Cipriani is an extraordinary moment for the club. He was my idol growing up, and his impact on the game extends far beyond football. Beyond what he brings to the club, I hope his involvement inspires a new generation of supporters to fall in love with Ravenna FC and become part of what we’re building for the future.”

The story behind the club

Ignazio Cipriani has lived in the United States for more than two decades, where the Cipriani name became closely associated with Italian hospitality and lifestyle culture on a global scale. But Ravenna, the city where he was born, remained central to his identity.

In 2024, Cipriani, together with investment partner Black Duck, acquired Ravenna Football Club and assembled a new management team that includes Ariedo Braida, one of the most respected figures in Italian football, whose decades at AC Milan helped shape one of the sport’s most successful eras.

A four-year technical partnership with Nike followed, further signaling the club’s growing ambition and international direction.

Ronaldinho signs for Ravenna

Ronaldinho joins Ravenna FC by Cipriani as a player, one of the most significant signings in the club’s history and a moment that positions Ravenna at the center of the global football conversation. More than a symbolic appointment, Ronaldinho has set his sights on scoring his final professional goal in Ravenna colors, adding a deeply personal chapter to one of football’s most celebrated careers. His arrival is a signal: that what Ravenna is building is serious, that Italian football culture has a new address, and that the most compelling chapter of this club’s story is just beginning.

Charitable Component: Street Soccer USA

Football has long been a force for connection and opportunity. In that spirit, a charitable donation will be made to Street Soccer USA, the national nonprofit founded by Lawrence Cann that uses the game to create pathways for youth and underserved communities.

Street Soccer USA’s mission was part of the inspiration behind the initiative, reflecting a shared belief that football can create opportunity both on and off the pitch. A longtime supporter of the organization and friend of Miami President and National Board Member Venanzio Ciampa, Ignazio Cipriani will also help support the opening of Street Soccer USA’s new field in Overtown. For Ravenna FC by Cipriani, the partnership reflects a commitment to building meaningful connections within the local Miami community while using the game as a catalyst for
positive impact.

Slawn: Football, art & culture

Born in Lagos and based in London, Slawn is one of the most influential artists working at the intersection of football, fashion, youth culture, and contemporary art.
For the June 23 event, Slawn has reimagined Ronaldinho’s official Ravenna FC by Cipriani jersey through a series of ten one-of-one pieces created exclusively for the occasion. The works transform the jersey into a collectible art object, bringing together football, design, and contemporary culture in a way that reflects the broader ambitions of Ravenna FC by Cipriani.

The evening

The June 23 event at Cipriani Miami is designed to reflect the elements that define Ravenna FC by Cipriani: Italian hospitality, football culture, art, and the kind of room that only comes together when every element has been considered. The 70-person VIP dinner will be held at Cipriani Miami followed by a 250-person after-party.